'Our chill morning gardening with Prince William'

6 days ago

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — Jemima, Desiree, Seyi and Imisi spent a morning with Prince William showing him what they grow for their allotment in Hull

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Four teenage girls can be seen stood around a table which has several potted plants on it inside a greenhouse. There is also a man stood in the middle laughing and next to him is Prince William who can be seen looking at the girls and smiling. A woman is stood next to him also smiling. — Jemima, Desiree, Seyi and Imisi spent a morning with Prince William showing him what they grow for their allotment in Hull

A group of girls spent a relaxing morning gardening with the Prince of Wales.

Prince William met with young people from the Hull-based Humber All Nations Alliance (HANA) who told them all about their allotment.

Seyi, 13, said: "It was really nice to bond because he was a very nice person. I even forgot he was part of the royal family."

The meeting took place at the Ubele Initiative in Wood Green, London, as part of BBC Children in Need's We Move FWD programme.

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace Four teenage girls are stood in front of a table in a greenhouse full of various-sized potted plants and smiling into the camera whilst holding up their pots. On the left the girl is wearing a fluffy grey coat, has a blue jumper and shirt on with a cross necklace, next to her a girl is wearing black-rimmed glasses and a black puffer coat. Next to her a taller girl is also wearing glasses, a black and white scarf and a black coat. The girl on the far right in wearing a white cardigan. — Prince William potted plants and spoke to the girls from HANA

On 28 January, young HANA members Seyi, Desiree, Jemima and Imisi showed Prince William some of what they were potting in one of Ubele Initiative's greenhouses.

Despite their nerves, they said Prince William was soon getting stuck into planting some vegetables and mint with them - and turned down their offer of wearing gloves.

Humber All Nations Alliance A green area with a green gate in front of it with a poster which says 'HANA Green Space for sustainability' with grass and daisy drawing at the bottom. Various people can be seen inside the space with houses seen in the background. — HANA runs a community allotment, sharing its vegetables with those in need

Desiree, 14, said: "I was taken aback as I didn't expect him to be that chill in person.

"I expected him to be quite serious but he's a human being at the end of the day."

She said the project was important to her as it teaches young people the benefits of growing your own vegetables.

Desiree also said she believed discussing their group with Prince William "gives us a voice and makes us feel worthy and what we say stands a chance".

Jemima, 14, said: "The best part of meeting him was the planting because he didn't wear any gloves, he just went straight into it and was passionate about it."

Imisi, 12, said she had been really nervous but when he came in he was "really chill, cool and calm".

"The experience was lovely," she added.

Humber All Nations Alliance A plant with narrow green leaves in potted in a square black pot and placed on a white table in front of a white wall. — HANA is nurturing a three-cornered leek that Prince William potted so that he can give it to King Charles III

HANA serves black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, and runs several groups, as well as a food bank, advice and support service and a breakfast club.

Its allotment is at the junction of Inglemire Lane with Marton Grove.

Young people are encouraged to plant flowers and grow vegetables, with produce distributed to those in need once a week.

Taiye Fatoki, HANA's project manager, said the event meant a lot to the group as it showed the work that they do was appreciated.

"The prince asked them questions about what they're doing and their future ambitions."

Fatoki, who is also father to Jemima and Imisi, said the allotment teaches children and young people about climate change and promotes social inclusion for different nationalities.

He said the prince had also promised he would take the three-cornered leek he potted back home for King Charles III.

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