Ever wondered how royalty handles a baking challenge? Prince William and Kate Middleton recently gave us a delightful glimpse into their lighter side during a visit to Northern Ireland, and let’s just say, it’s not your typical royal engagement. But here’s where it gets even more charming: their playful banter and hands-on approach turned a simple baking activity into a heartwarming moment that felt surprisingly relatable. And this is the part most people miss—royalty, just like us, can laugh at their own mishaps and enjoy the little things in life.
During their final stop at Long Meadow Cider in Craigavon, the Prince and Princess of Wales were invited to participate in a traditional potato apple bread-making session with farm owner Catherine McKeever and her family. The couple started by picking apples from the orchard before donning aprons and diving into the baking challenge. William, ever the joker, couldn’t resist teasing the McKeever family midway through peeling apples: ‘If we’re peeling every single one, you might need to lend a hand—we’ll be here all day!’ His humor set the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
The fun didn’t stop there. As William sliced apples to add to the dough, Catherine’s husband, Pat, joked about his preference for thicker slices. William’s quick-witted response, ‘You’ll get what you’re given!’ had the entire room, including Kate, bursting into laughter. The couple then moved on to rolling out the dough, with Kate gently reminding William, ‘Try to keep it in a circle.’ Glancing at his less-than-circular creation, William quipped, ‘A circle? Now you tell me! If you tilt your head, it’s practically a circle—a new variety!’
Catherine McKeever later shared her astonishment at teaching the future king and queen her family’s cherished recipe. ‘It was absolutely unbelievable,’ she said. ‘They were just like any ordinary couple coming in to learn how to make bread.’ Long Meadow, now in its third generation of family ownership, has expanded its offerings to include craft ciders, apple juice, and cider vinegars, while also welcoming tourists for tours and tastings.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this down-to-earth approach a genuine reflection of William and Kate’s personalities, or a carefully curated image? While some may argue it’s all part of the royal PR machine, others see it as a refreshing departure from traditional royal formality. After all, who wouldn’t want their future monarchs to be approachable and relatable?
This isn’t the first time the couple has engaged in a friendly baking competition. During a visit to Pontypridd, South Wales, earlier this year, they tried their hand at making Welsh cakes, with William humorously crediting Mary Berry for his skills. Speaking of Mary Berry, Kate once revealed a sweet birthday tradition for her children during a 2019 appearance on A Berry Royal Christmas. ‘I love making the cake,’ she shared. ‘It’s become a tradition that I stay up until midnight with way too much cake mix and icing, but I absolutely love it.’
What do you think? Does this lighter, more relatable side of the royal couple make them more endearing, or is it all just part of the royal playbook? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
