Finding activities that kids will all enjoy, while also allowing parents to have a well-deserved break, can feel nearly impossible. Plus, filling school breaks with outings or finding the best holiday ideas for families with teens can quickly become an expensive endeavor. While many children might want to jet off to popular holiday destinations abroad, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are keen to enjoy their school summer holiday with a more budget-friendly staycation at one of Prince William and Princess Catherine's favorite UK hotspots.
The Prince and Princess of Wales embarked on a secret sea tour, a peaceful escape amidst the emotional storm following Catherine's recent cancer chemotherapy treatment. Earlier this year, Prince William visited Cornwall, spending time in the seaside town after taking on the role as head of the Duchy of Cornwall from his father, King Charles III. During his visit, he revealed that his kids were jealous of his trip and mentioned they were hoping to come away for the holiday later in the year to spend time on the beach.
Looking back to 2021, Catherine, William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis took a summer holiday off the Cornish coast. At that time, international travel restrictions were still in flux due to the pandemic, so the couple decided to stay closer to home. The same choice was made in 2020 when they took their children to Tresco Island, the only privately-owned inhabited island among the five in the Isles of Scilly. The family was spotted biking around and enjoying a brief trip before school started again.
St. Mary’s, where they stayed, is an easygoing, safe haven of hidden treasures. The coastline boasts large stretches of deserted white sandy beaches, dramatic rocky coves, and stunning seascapes, offering George, Charlotte, and Louis plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy. It’s believed that William has spent time at Tamarisk House in the past, both as a child with his parents, King Charles and Princess Diana, and his brother, Harry, and later with his own wife and children. Tamarisk House is nestled on St. Mary's, the largest and most populous of the Isles of Scilly, spanning just over six square miles and home to around 1,800 residents.
This beautiful mid-century 1960s property sits on a quarter-acre of land, boasting four bedrooms and being largely concealed by Tamarisk trees for privacy. The house features two ground-floor bedrooms with sea views and a family bathroom. Upstairs, there’s a twin bedroom with an ensuite shower room and a master bedroom. From the living room, warmed by a wood burner, or from the sun terrace, one can enjoy stunning views of St. Mary's.
Holidaymakers on the island recalled seeing the Royals, noting that they hardly noticed them at first, as the family seemed just like any other on holiday, intent on keeping to themselves. The place they stayed was modest and certainly not luxurious. Both William and Catherine adore their children, and their lives revolve around them. It’s thought they wanted to find a practical solution to the problem that has long troubled the royal family – the issue of the "spare."
According to a friend of the Princess, William supports King Charles' plan to reduce the number of working members of the royal family when the older generation retires. His Royal Highness reportedly won’t be inviting anyone else to take on the role of working Royals, and it remains to be seen if he will even want his two younger children to be involved in official royal duties.
As the news of Catherine's illness reverberated across the globe, the couple sought solace and respite from the familiar embrace of the sea, finding comfort in the soothing rhythm of the waves and the vast expanse of the horizon. With the gentle breeze whispering through their hair and the sun casting a golden glow upon the water, they found a brief moment of peace amid the whirlwind of doctor’s appointments and treatment plans.
When their secret sea tour came to an end and they returned home, their hearts were perhaps a little lighter, and their resolve a little stronger.
