'Unsung heroes': William and Kate's plan for 2026 revealed

By Hannah Furness

The Prince and Princess of Wales will celebrate home-grown heroes next year by showcasing "the best of Britain".

They will place "real emphasis" on British businesses, skills, and creativity – as well as unsung community heroes – in at least one engagement a month.

The Prince and Princess, along with all members of the working Royal family, undertake engagements around the country in support of charities and businesses.

In recent years, they have focused on their own causes – the environment and homelessness for him, early childhood for her, and mental health for them both.

The Princess has been making her way steadily back to work after a cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, undertaking more public engagements as her health has improved.

In the past year, she has increasingly campaigned on the importance of nature, connection and in-person contact rather than screens.

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In the reign of King Charles, the Waleses have stepped up their official duties to take a more senior diplomatic role, with the Prince of Wales – who is now heir apparent – representing the monarch and Government overseas.

A palace source said of their plans for next year: "It's really important for the Prince and Princess of Wales to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the UK. There will be a real emphasis in 2026 on showcasing some of the best of Britain."

The Prince and Princess have spent more time at the hearts of local communities in recent months following the Princess's illness.

During a visit to the Isle of Mull in April, Prince William was heard to say the couple wanted to "spotlight" volunteers and community leaders around the country who were the "glue" holding everything together.

In September this year, the Princess spent a day in Suffolk and Kent, visiting British textile manufacturers in a programme Kensington Palace described as "highlighting the rich heritage of the British textile industry and celebrating the joy found in working in the creative industries".

She later wore a scarf from Sudbury Silk Mills during the high-profile US state visit to Windsor.

The following month the Prince and Princess spent a day in Northern Ireland, learning ancient linen-making techniques during a visit to a flax farm and a family orchard which produces cider.

Their focus on the best of Britain will be in addition to the Prince's Homewards project, which aims to prove it is possible to eradicate homelessness, his Earthshot environment prize, and the Princess's Centre for Early Childhood.

Senior members of the Royal family support British business through royal warrants, which denote the products or services they use themselves.

The King and Queen have issued theirs for the new reign, with the Prince and Princess of Wales expected to begin granting their first warrants from spring 2026.

Elizabeth II and Prince Philip set the pattern of using their patronage as the Royal family's spotlight, boosting British business at home and overseas.

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Their children kept up the practice, with the Princess Royal maintaining a busy schedule of engagements across the UK and Commonwealth, along with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The King, who added his own causes including the Prince's Trust – now the King's Trust – to his programme as a young man, has been a vocal campaigner for heritage crafts.

His King's Foundation teaches the next generation the skills of traditional arts and crafts, as well as farming and architecture, and he is a longstanding patron of the Campaign for Wool.

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