Kate Middleton Denied a Cheeky Request During Ireland Visit With William — but With Good Reason
On October 14, Kate Middleton and Prince William made a surprise visit to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Learning and Development College in Cookstown, Ireland. The Prince and Princess of Wales got an insight into the demanding job of firefighters and the risks they face daily. During their tour, the royal couple boarded a fire truck, with Middleton charming everyone with her signature British banter. When she cheekily asked if the firefighters could turn on the sirens, she was met with a firm no, as sirens are only reserved for emergencies.
Reflecting on her cheeky request, firefighter Caoimhe McNeice later told The Mirror, "She [Middleton] was wanting the sirens on. But the driver was strictly told no. She wanted the Prince to drive. But the driver got us there safely anyway." He continued, "The Princess was saying, ‘I’d love to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on,’ but they were getting to the water rescue [area], it was just a bit of banter." Meanwhile, firefighter Piarais McCaffery shared that the pair were "very, very genuine and interested, especially with the water facility."
The Prince and Princess eagerly watched as firefighters demonstrated a floodwater rescue, rope ladder drills, and breathing apparatus techniques at the 50-acre site. They also participated in one of the water works simulations, where they attempted to throw a floatation line to an instructor playing the role of a drifting 'casualty.' The pair were accompanied by Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings, who walked them past a replica village into a training warehouse where the drills took place. After touring the College, William and Middleton headed to Mallon Farm, where they were briefed on the sustainable methods used to grow flax for linen production.
Reflecting on their visit, NIFRS Chief Fire Officer Aidan Jennings gushed that Middleton and William's appearance made for 'a proud and unforgettable day' for the service. He shared, "I’m honored that the Prince and Princess witnessed first-hand how the real-life scenario-based training facilities are revolutionizing how we train and develop our people, enabling us to meet the evolving needs of a modern-day Fire & Rescue Service." He added, "I would like to sincerely thank the Prince and Princess for their visit, their kind words, support, and recognition of the work of all our people in NIFRS dedicated to serving our community and keeping people safe."
On the final day of their Ireland outing, the Prince and Princess visited Long Meadow Cider, an award-winning farm in County Armagh. Likewise, they participated in activities such as apple harvesting and a bread-making session in Bramley Barn. They engaged in friendly competition with the McKeever family, where Middleton once again showed off her playful British banter. The couple also tasted apple cider vinegar and reminisced about home experiments with apple pressing.