Kate Middleton was reportedly denied a cheeky request to turn on sirens during a royal visit to a firefighter training site in Northern Ireland with Prince William.
While visiting the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) Learning and Development College near Cookstown on Tuesday (October 14), Kate and Prince William were shown around the £50million state-of-the-art facility, where they observed training drills and even got a taste of what it’s like to work in high-pressure rescue scenarios.
Kate Middleton made ‘cheeky’ request during royal appearance with Prince William
Dressed in a tailored green Alexander McQueen coat and Gianvito Rossi boots, the Princess of Wales watched intently as emergency workers demonstrated a simulated floodwater rescue, rope ladder drills, and breathing apparatus techniques at the new 50-acre site.
But the royal couple didn’t just series, they participated too. During one water rescue simulation, William and Kate each attempted to throw a floatation line to an instructor playing the role of a drifting casualty. Despite their efforts, both missed.
After the demonstration, the pair boarded a fire truck to ride across the training grounds. That’s when Kate’s mischievous side came out. She asked if the sirens could be turned on for the ride and even joked about wanting William to take the wheel.
But the driver was strictly told no.
“[She] was wanting the sirens on,” said newly qualified firefighter Caoimhe McNeice, who accompanied the couple on the ride.
“But the driver was strictly told no. She was wanting the prince to drive. But the driver got us there safely anyway,” Caoimhe said, as reported by The Mirror. She added that the moment was “just a bit of banter”.
Despite the cheeky request being denied, both royals impressed the team with their warmth and enthusiasm.
William and Kate praised for ‘chemistry’
One woman who met William and Kate on Tuesday spoke about the pair’s “chemistry” during the visit. She said in a video shared on X: “They didn’t make you feel nervous at all. Just lovely, really, really lovely.
“You can see the chemistry between the two. Just really bounce off each other.”
Kate Middleton and Prince William visit Northern Ireland
The new training college opened in May. It is the largest investment in the fire service’s history. It also features one of only two floodwater rescue simulators in the world. NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings called the visit “a proud and unforgettable day”.
“It was a privilege to have our royal visitors meet many people across our service and recognise their commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm,” he said.
After the tour, William and Kate continued their day in rural Northern Ireland with a stop at Mallon Farm, where they learned about sustainable flax farming. The farm, once a dairy operation, immediately plays a role in reviving Northern Ireland’s linen industry.
According to Helen Keys MBE, who co-runs the project with Charlie Mallon, the royal visit “shines a light” on their mission to develop a sustainable local linen economy.
The surprise day of engagements marked Kate’s first trip to Northern Ireland since 2022. It was also her first public appearance in the region since her cancer diagnosis and treatment. Prince William visited Belfast last year for his Homewards initiative.
The palace said the couple’s visit was focused on “innovative organisations that showcase growth and investment in rural areas”.
Read more: Prince William’s ‘concern’ for Paul Gascoigne during meeting: ‘I’m keeping an eye on you’
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