Kate Middleton dons £600 jacket and trusty hiking boots as she kicks off visit to Wales with William

The Princess of Wales was radiant as she joined her husband Prince William for a whirlwind visit to Wales today.

Kate, 41, and the Prince of Wales, 40, are visiting the South Wales Valleys and Mid Wales over the next two days.

They kicked off their trip this afternoon by meeting Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

William, who is patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, and Kate will have the opportunity to engage in training activities such as abseiling, medical support exercises and a search dog rescue demonstration.

Run entirely by volunteers, the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team has been working to keep the communities of Mid and South Wales safe since 1963. 

The team responds to calls 24 hours a day, year round and covers the Central area of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, which incorporates Pen y Fan, the highest point in southern Britain, as well as the Ystradfellte waterfalls, Cardiff, Newport and the Valleys. 

During their time with the team, the royal couple will meet with current volunteers to hear about their roles and experiences of carrying out rescues, in addition to former team members spanning the organisation’s 60-year history.

Later today, the Prince and Princess will visit the nearby Dowlais Rugby Club where members of the team typically go to relax and socialise. 

Inside the club, the couple will spend time with mountain rescue volunteers, the organisation’s supporters, and members of the local community.

Upon leaving the rugby club, they will spend some time meeting members of the public gathered outside. 

Prior to becoming a senior royal at the age of 35, William had a career as an RAF search and rescue pilot. He also worked as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

The Princess of Wales arrives for a visit to Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team headquarters in Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales

Ready for action! Kate and William looked the part in their waterproof gear when arriving at today’s outing

Meeting the team! Kate shook hands with the volunteers working for the rescue team in Wales