Prince William plants shrubs and learns how to build boats as he launches scheme to combat homelessness in Poole

The Prince of Wales looked focused as he visited a Homewards site in Poole this afternoon to discuss a new partnership which will deliver homes in the Dorset region. William, 42, arrived at the site of the charity, of which he's patron, to officially announce the Homewards Activator partnership at Millennium House.

As part of the visit, which also sees him visit Christchurch and Bournemouth, William also visited an organisation offering support to people with mental health difficulties in the area who have experienced homelessness. There, he joined CEO of Lloyds Banking Group Charlie Nunn who showed him around the 11-bed housing scheme.

He also met with current residents supported by the organisation, who are being encouraged to develop skills that will help them live independently in safe and healthy spaces. Residents at Millennium House are given their own support plan which aims to put them on the path to living independently in their own quarters.

Lloyds has pumped £50 million into the project, which will go towards small and medium-sized housing providers and charities in areas where Homewards operates. It is run by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) and specifically supports people with mental health needs.

The Prince of Wales arrived in Poole, Dorset, this afternoon where he discussed a new partnership between Homewards and Lloyds Banking Group. Elsewhere in his Dorset visit, father-of-three William will visit Bournemouth and Poole College where Homewards has focused its project to strengthen employment pathways for people at risk of experiencing homelessness in the area.

William's solo visit comes just a few days after he and the Princess of Wales embarked upon their first joint engagement in over a year as they visited Pontypridd in Wales in early St David's Day celebrations. Kate, 43, rewore a chic scarlet Alexander McQueen coat - the same she had sported for her Together at Christmas carol service - layered over a checked Gucci skirt and black boots, while carrying a brown handbag. Later, she swapped her jacket over for a dark green blazer.

The mother-of-three appeared to go without her engagement ring, instead sporting an 'eternity band' set with diamonds and sapphires. To accessorise, she seemed to sport garnet charm hoops from Spells of Love and carried Mulberry's Bayswater tote - in the shade Oak.

She styled her thick brunette locks in loose curls hanging down her shoulders. Meanwhile, William opted for dark trousers and a jacket, and carried official-looking documents under his arm. William, 43, joined by Lloyds CEO Charlie Nunn, met a resident at Millennium House in Poole.

William's visit marked the launch of the Homewards Activator partnership which will help to launch new homes. Prince William met with trainee boat builder Daniel Matthews and got to work with some joining. Daniel imparted his expertise on William, who looked focused (and perhaps a little perplexed) ahead of giving it a go himself.

Elsewhere in the visit, William sewed some seeds in a planter while chatting with residents at Millennium House. The royal got to work in the garden and opened the packet of seeds before planting them in the pot. The Prince of Wales's visit marks his ongoing commitment to the cause of ending homelessness in the UK.

The couple's last visit together was in October 2023, with other planned engagements cancelled because of Kate's shock cancer diagnosis; although they have both visited separately in recent months. Their first public engagement saw them visit Pontypridd Market to meet local business owners and try their hand at making one of the country's most celebrated exports - Welsh cakes. This is a delicious traditional sweet using flour, sugar, spices, butter, eggs and dried fruit which is then cooked in a pan and dusted with sugar.

The Princess is a particularly keen home baker, although William has previously admitted he is somewhat hopeless at it. Pontypridd Market has been at the heart of the South Wales community since 1805 and is home to business selling everything from meat to fruit and vegetable, toys, books and textiles and boasts several cafes.

The couple toured the food hall, and visited The Welsh Cake Shop which has been serving the local population for more than 25 years. It is also well known for its Bara Brith, a traditional Welsh fruit bread, and delivers both this and Welsh cakes to locations across the UK.

The royal couple donned aprons, and took the chance to bake the treats before handing out their successful efforts to market traders and customers. Madison Conner, 19, said: 'They were perfect, they were great, they were banging.'. The couple arrived and first chatted to butcher Kevin Kidner, 61, of KMG Poultry, before posing for selfies and talking flowers from children and customers waiting to greet the couple.

Arriving at The Welsh Cake Shop, Wills asked: 'How dirty can you be? Flour everywhere?'. They were each given a mixture and handed a rolling pin and a demonstration by owner Theresa Conner. Once the mixture was flat they each cut 12 circles and placed them in a pile.