Prince William marked Cornish National Day with a visit to Helston, immersing himself in a beloved local tradition: pasty making.
The prince didn’t just observe; he actively participated, carefully spooning potatoes into the pastry shells at a local bakery. He playfully acknowledged the potential for critique, stating, “Don’t worry, I can take full criticism.”
Learning the art of crimping the pasty from bakery owner Miss Webb, William confessed, “Everyone loves a trier.” His initial attempts, however, drew a humorous comparison – he described his finished creation as “a slightly ill crab.”
He quickly recognized the skill involved, noting the process was “really not easy” and something that couldn’t be replicated by machines. The handmade quality, he observed, was essential to a truly great pasty.
The royal visit extended beyond the kitchen. William joined the bakery staff, directly serving customers and even taking an order over the phone. He cheerfully assisted a caller, Josie Trounson, with her request for ten frozen and five fresh pasties.
Ms. Trounson, unaware she was speaking to the Prince, initially found the caller “a bit incoherent.” She later expressed her astonishment upon discovering the identity of the voice who had taken her order, especially given it was St. Piran’s Day and she feared her pasties wouldn’t arrive.
William’s generosity didn’t stop there. He personally delivered a box of fifty freshly baked pasties to the local fire station, a gesture of gratitude for their tireless work during Storm Goretti.
The Webb family had originally intended to deliver pasties to the fire station during the storm, but blocked roads prevented them from doing so. William’s visit, two months later, fulfilled their promise in a truly memorable way.
