Prince William and Princess Kate Highlight RNLI’s Work with Borough Market and Thames Visit

Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, spent March 12, 2026, engaging with London communities and showcasing support for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The day included a visit to the historic Borough Market and a demonstration of the RNLI’s vital work on the River Thames.

Borough Market Engagement

The Prince and Princess began their day at Borough Market, one of London’s oldest food markets, with roots potentially dating back to 1014 Tatler. They interacted with vendors, sampling cheeses and participating in food preparation. The royal couple donned aprons to serve crumble with custard, and Princess Kate also tried her hand at brewing beer at the Bermondsey Beer Mile The News.

During the market visit, Princess Kate revealed she has significantly reduced her alcohol consumption since beginning cancer treatment, declining a sample offered to her The News. Prince William, but, sampled both beer, and cider.

RNLI Visit and Demonstration

Following their time at Borough Market, the Prince and Princess of Wales moved to the RNLI Tower Lifeboat Station on the River Thames People. They traveled on a lifeboat to the station, echoing a similar engagement from February 2011, which marked Princess Kate’s first official royal outing with Prince William at the RNLI Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station in Anglesey, Wales Town & Country.

The visit served to mark the 25th anniversary of RNLI Lifeguards and to recognize the dedication of the RNLI’s staff and volunteers, particularly during a challenging winter period Tatler. Prince William even took the helm of an RNLI lifeboat on the Thames, gaining firsthand experience of the charity’s operations The News.

The RNLI’s Role

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the largest lifeboat service, operating around the coastlines of the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man The News. The charity provides a vital service, saving lives and responding to emergencies at sea.

The RNLI Tower Station, which opened in 2023, is continuously manned, ensuring a rapid response capability on the River Thames Tatler.