‘Food banks are a lifeline for so many people’

Kate steps into politics over cost of living crisis and says:

THe Princess of Wales made a rare foray into politics as she spoke of the need for food banks amid the rising cost of living.

Kate spoke about the importance of community services with members of the congregation at St Thomas Church in Swansea on Tuesday – her first visit to Wales since inheriting her new title.

Over the last two years the church has been transformed into a community hub, which includes a food bank, facilities for homeless people and a not-for-profit cafe and community training kitchen.

During the visit with husband Prince William, Kate said: ‘With the cost of living crisis, there are a lot of desperate people out there.’

The royal said that the food bank was a ‘lifeline to so many people’ particularly after the pandemic.

Chatting with a group of worshippers, she said: ‘What’s so wonderful about this place is that there is such a good mixture of young and old.

‘It’s extraordinary. You have 90year-olds as well as youngsters. It’s a real family organisation. We need places like this to bring people together, places where people can come and engage. It’s what we need post-Covid and with the cost of living crisis.

‘There is amazing work going on here. Keep up the hard work.’

By convention, the Royal Family do not comment on what might be deemed political issues out of respect for the Monarch’s constitutional role. A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘Given the number of visits and conversations that take place, we are unable to verify specific comments that are reported upon.’

Pat Hughes, one of the women who runs the food bank, said: ‘It was lovely to chat with the Princess and it’s something we won’t forget.’