For the last few years, Prince William and Kate Middleton have gone to Mustique at the end of July, bringing along their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and Kate’s parents Michael and Carole. This year, due to concerns about the coronavirus, they opted against taking their normal vacation. But according to the Daily Mirror, they did find another island location closer to home.
The couple was spotted biking on Tresco, one of the Isles of Scilly, the tabloid reported Friday. “William and Kate were riding their bicycles, having a laugh. They looked so happy enjoying the weather,” a tourist said. “I did do a double take. They were really friendly and said hello.”
Other sources added that they did bring their children along, and chose the locale because they didn’t want to travel somewhere where they would have to quarantine upon return. William has scheduled events next week, promoting his Heads Up mental health campaign in the run-up to the U.K.’s soccer finals.
A source told the Sun that the family arrived on the island by helicopter. “Boat taxis known as Specials were organised for low-key scenic boat trips for the family to be privately taken to some of the wilder islands for bird watching and seeing dolphins,” the insider said. “This island is part private so a bit like their favourite holiday destination Mustique, but without the mosquitoes.”
The isles are a part of the ceremonial county of Cornwall, and Prince Charles’s Duchy is the owner of much of their land. In 1993, Vanity Fair reported that Charles actually owned a house on one of the islands. The economy of Cornwall functions mainly on tourism, and supporting local businesses was also a part of Kate and Will’s motivations. “They decided on a quick getaway before the children return to school,” a source told the Mirror. “They were keen to support our travel industry.”
They might have chosen the location because of their history with it. Back in 1989, William vacationed in the isles with Charles, Prince Harry, and Princess Diana. William and Kate also visited the isles in 2016. Even though birdwatching is one of the most popular activities on the isles, it’s unlikely that they’re partaking during their trip. Recently, William said on a podcast that he once bought binoculars for Kate as a romantic gift, but she was not a fan.
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