Posted on: Wednesday 2 March 2022
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Blaenavon on Tuesday as part of a one-day tour to South Wales to mark St David's Day.
They spent time with young people being supported by The Hwb Torfaen youth centre before visiting the World Heritage Centre where they met 12 World Heritage Site Youth Ambassadors.
Among them were Dan and Kelsi, who told the Royal Highnesses about the programme and showed them around the centre.
Dan, 14, said: "I told them about what we do as ambassadors such as visiting other heritage sites around the UK to learn more about them.
"I really enjoy being an ambassador - it's made me more productive and I've made lots of friends."
Kelsi, 12, added: "I shook Prince William and Catherine's hands - they were really kind and easy to talk to."
The award-winning World Heritage Site Youth Ambassadors programme is one of a number of initiatives run by The Hwb to empower young people to have an active and powerful voice in their own lives, their local communities and world heritage.
The Duke and Duchess also met members of The Hwb's Care Busters network, which supports young people who have experienced care, and took part in some of the activities on offer at the centre in Broad Street, including making Welsh cakes.
During their visit to the World Heritage Centre, the Royal Couple joined the young ambassadors making crafts to mark the 50th anniversary of UNESCO's World Heritage Convention, and they planted a tree as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The UK-grown ornamental Japanese cherry tree, which was planted in the grounds of the World Heritage Centre, will form part of The Queen's Green Canopy initiative to mark Her Majesty's 70th anniversary on the throne.
Dermot McChrystal, Torfaen Council's Chief Officer for Education, said: "The Council initially established the World Heritage Site Youth Ambassador programme and we are pleased to support the great work being done by The Hwb and the ambassadors.
"It's an excellent example of how young people can be supported to learn and develop, while helping to advance world heritage both locally and nationally."
Council Leader Anthony Hunt added: "The focus of the visit was the children and it is a day that will stay with them forever."
Before the Duke and Duchess left, they were presented with gifts by the young ambassadors, including flowers and goodie bags for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Groups and individuals across the UK are being encouraged to "plant a tree for the Jubilee". For more information about The Queen's Green Canopy, visit https://queensgreencanopy.org/