Tidy! Prince William and Kate compete in Nessa's arcade as they visit Wales for first time since lockdown

Rebecca Taylor
·Royal Correspondent
Updated ·3-min read

Prince William and Kate have travelled to Wales for their first engagement in the country since lockdown began.

The couple visited Barry Island on Wednesday, marking the furthest they have travelled since restrictions in the UK began to ease.

They displayed the usual Cambridge rivalry as they played games in the arcade, made famous as being the location of Nessa’s Slots in the BBC’s hit comedy Gavin & Stacey.

At one point Kate thought she had won big, as a grabber moved a blue toy closer to her.

But her cries of “Yes!” and her thumbs up turned to disappointment a split second later as the toy dropped back into the pile.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge play a grab a teddy game as the Duchess picks up a blue toy and celebrates with thumbs up, only for it to slip from the claws before reaching the winning chute, during their visit to Barry Island, South Wales, to speak to local business owners about the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
So near: The Duchess nearly won a blue toy when playing the machines at a Barry arcade made famous in the hit comedy Gavin & Stacey. (PA)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge throw balls to knock down figures on an arcade game at Island Leisure Amusement Arcade, where Gavin and Stacey is filmed, during their visit to Barry Island, South Wales, to speak to local business owners about the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
Take that! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge throw balls to knock down figures at Island Leisure Amusement Arcade. (PA)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge play a grab a teddy game at Island Leisure Amusement Arcade, where Gavin and Stacey was filmed, during their visit to Barry Island, South Wales, to speak to local business owners about the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
Touching distance: Kate made a rare public display of affection with William as they played one of the games. (PA)

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The Gavin & Stacey references continued as they visited Marco’s Cafe, where Stacey, played by Joanna Page, worked during the series.

But William confessed: “It’s one of the few boxsets I haven’t already watched. I’ve never actually watched it.

“But I know how much it has done for the economy here and it’s a wonderful series.”

Owner Marco Zeraschi said: “I told them we have James Corden as ‘prince’ and Ruth Jones as ‘princess’ of Barry Island but said I have changed my mind now. They were very charming.”

Kate wore a blue Emilia Wickstead dress, first worn at RHS Wisley, as they toured Barry Island and talked to business owners about the impact of COVID-19 on tourism.

They also saw new beach huts installed on the island as part of a £6million investment in regeneration.

While details of the trip were not announced in advance, to stop crowds gathering, the warm weather meant some who were enjoying their ice creams on the beach also saw the royal couple.

The couple also visited the Shire Hall care home in Cardiff, to meet residents they played virtual bingo with during the lockdown.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wave to people on the beach as they leave the promenade after visiting beach huts, during their visit to Barry Island, South Wales, to speak to local business owners about the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wave to people on the beach as they leave the promenade after visiting beach huts. Details of the trip were not announced in advance to stop crowds gathering, . (PA)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the promenade as they visit beach huts, during their visit to Barry Island, South Wales, to speak to local business owners about the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
The couple saw new beach huts installed on the island as part of a £6million investment in regeneration (PA)
The Duchess of Cambridge holds a Marco's Cafe mug while chatting with business owners inside Marco's cafe, during the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit to Barry Island, South Wales, to speak to local business owners about the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector.
Kate had a cup of tea and a chat with the owners of Marco's Cafe - where Stacey, played by Joanna Page, worked during the series. (PA)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge speak with resident Margaret Stocks during their visit to Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff, South Wales.
The couple wore coverings as they spoke to residents at the Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff. (PA)

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On Tuesday, Kate was pictured in a face covering during her engagement in Sheffield as she helped unpack donations to a baby bank.

However, because rules around face coverings differ between England and Wales, there was no need for the couple to have them during their visits to the beach huts or cafes in Barry.

They did wear them when they visited Shire Hall, later in the day.

They also ensured they adhered to social distancing guidelines as they met with residents and staff of the Cardiff care home in the garden.

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