The Prince of Wales has heaped praise on the Princess of Wales, saying “behind every average man is an even better wife”.

Prince William, 43, who has been married to his university sweetheart Kate since 2011, made the comment after a youth club leader told of how important his own wife’s support had been.

The future King carried out a series of engagements in North Wales on Tuesday, including a visit to youth initiative, Youth Shedz, at their headquarters in Mochdre. William heard from children about how the project helps them navigate struggles with school and isolation.

Scott Jenkinson, 52, the founder of Youth Shedz, walked the Prince through different weekly group activities at the space, including cooking, gaming, podcasting and 3D printing.

The Prince also spoke to Mr Jenkinson and his wife Sian about the importance of having a strong supporting figure by your side.

“Were you there with Scott when he turned his life around?” he asked Sian, after hearing of Scott’s previous challenges with homelessness and addiction. “He has done well to turn his life around.”

Sian replied: “He has, he really has.”

Scott said: “With my wife behind me. You know that.”

 William nodded and replied: “This is it. Behind every average man there is an even better wife.”

WATCH: Prince William jokes about his own sweet tooth as he’s given gifts for George, Charlotte and Louis

Earlier in the day, the Prince visited Colwyn Bay, where he carried out a beach walk with members of the young ocean network who are part of the Marine Conservation Society to hear about their work.

He also attended a comedy workshop run by Welsh comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean who is co-founder of a comedy school in North Wales called Gwneud, Make, Do.

See the best photos from his day…

Media Image© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

William on his beach walk

William travelled to Colwyn Bay in north Wales to learn about the work of the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Youth Ocean Network who have been publicising the wildlife-rich area to their peers and adults. 

Prince William taking selfie with members of public© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

William posed for selfies

When he arrived at the seaside town of Colwyn Bay he chatted to dozens waiting on the promenade, was hugged by one woman, and told another well-wisher: “You’ve been her for a while, I can tell – you’ve got the coldest hands.”

Prince William hugging member of public© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

William was all smiles as he was hugged by one well-wisher.

Media Image© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

William wrapped up against the chill

In bright winter sunshine, William chatted with young volunteers and Gareth Cunningham, the MCS director of conservation and policy.

After walking along a stretch of beach near the town centre he visited a nearby restaurant and told a group from the MCS’s two-year Hiraeth Yn Y Mor (Longing for the Sea) project which concluded in March: “I know it’s difficult to keep interest in marine things, well done for keeping going.”

The initiative saw young people working with north Wales coastal communities in Prestatyn, Rhyl and Kinmel Bay to increase their understanding of the benefits of the sea, improve the sustainable management of local marine heritage, and promote the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with the ocean.

Mr Cunningham said later about William: “There was proper engagement, you could see he was really passionate about the project and encouraging us to do more as well.”

 

William playing pool© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

William’s second engagement

At Youth Shedz, William joked about flash photography putting him off his shot as he played a game of pool. 

Prince William speaking to man behind desk© Getty

William was given a tour of the charity’s headquarters

Founded in 2017, Youth Shedz work with children and young people who have faced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), making it challenging for them to cope with life and school. 

Children and young people who visit the shed are able to receive support to navigate these challenges and join activities and workshops that allow them to build strong foundations for a fulfilling life.

The Prince of Wales laughing sitting on sofa with two young boys© Getty

William chatting with youngsters at Youth Shedz

Scott and Sian’s daughter, Emily, showed the Prince a glimpse into the cooking classes Youth Shedz runs for the children after school and gave him homemade earrings for Catherine.

Sian, a leader at Youth Shedz, explained to the Prince one of their key foundations for the children is learning how to build relationships through sitting down and eating at a table.

Sian said: “A lot of families don’t sit around a table and talk anymore. We are trying to do what we can to make sitting down and chatting fun.”

The Prince agreed with the importance of this, adding that children shouldn’t be “by screens or disappearing off elsewhere”.

William then joked that the sweets he was given from the cookery display “may never make it back” to his own children.

prince william in hall with people© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

William also visited Gwneud, Make, Do.

At the comedy workshop, William met young aspiring comedians from across the local area and heard about their aspirations and the challenges they face in accessing opportunities within the arts in remote coastal areas.

William laughs as he attends a comedy workshop run by Welsh comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean in Llandudno, Wales© POOL/AFP via Getty Images

William had a chuckle

The school was created to open doors for people across the region, in order to allow them to develop their comedic talents and open up more arts opportunities for young people particularly those living in isolated rural locations and those from low-income backgrounds.

William helping the homeless

Homelessness is something Prince William has passionately advocated for throughout his life. The most significant initiative is Homewards, a transformative five-year, locally-led programme launched in June 2023 by Prince William and The Royal Foundation.

In an ITV documentary released last year, William revealed that he has discussed homelessness with his three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis on the school run. 

“The first few times I thought, do I bring this up? Or should I wait and see if any of them noticed? And sure enough, they did, and they were just sort of in silence after I had said what was going on.

“And I do think it’s really important that you start those conversations when the children are small, so that they understand the world around them and they’re not just living, you know, in their own little worlds.”