COUNTY SHOW: 'KATE IS LIKE DIANA - PERSONABLE WITH EVERYONE SHE MEETS'

THE PRINC RIN S HEAD TO CORNWALL 40 YEARS AFTER 2 WILLIAM'S MOTHER DEBUTED AS DUCHESS

- LISA BLAKE

The Prince and Princess of Wales made their first official joint visit to Cornwall last week since taking on their new titles as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. And it was a poignant occasion as it came 40 years after Prince William’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, made her first official visit to the county in the roles his wife Kate has now assumed.

Large crowds greeted William and Kate – in a chestnut-brown coat from Hobbs, which she was first seen wearing in 2012, and a high-necked burgundy dress – at Falmouth’s Events Square as they began their tour at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

At one point, the couple shared a sweet interaction with a young girl in the crowd, with the toddler reaching out and poking the prince on the nose.

The royals met volunteers and helped students from the local marine school with maintenance work on a dinghy before enjoying a model boat race.

The pupils said Kate was much better than her husband, with one joking, “William crashed a lot.”

Also at the museum, Kate was thrilled to be reunited with her former history teacher, Jim Embury. Kate instantly recognised Jim, who is now a volunteer at the museum, and broke protocol by hugging him. She fondly told him, “The things you taught me, I now teach to my children.”

And when later asked how the mother-of-three was as a student, Jim said, “I have to say, fantastic. It was a great class and she was a great participant and a great kid. It was 25 years ago.”