Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamlearned first-hand how some families in Blackpool have been living in deprived housing — and how the seaside town is working to flip the situation.
In one house, walls were covered in black mold and graffiti, with debris littering the floor and children’s toys and a small coat left behind. They had to walk on planks to avoid dangerous rotting floorboards, while water dripped from a ceiling in the living room.
PA Images/Sipa
Kate Middleton and Prince William.PA Images/Sipa
Lee Burrell, development director of Blackpool Housing Company, who showed them around, tells PEOPLE, “Families and children are close to their heart and housing standards are a fundamental part of a family’s happiness and they showed a level of passion in terms of children and a level of knowledge of housing related issues.”
“The passion came over in how they asked questions. It was heartening to see such a level of interest in what we are trying to tackle. There was a passion there I probably didn’t expect.”
Prince William, Kate Middleton and Christina Jackson.PA Images/Sipa
The royal couple then met Christina Jackson, who lived in a new house after losing $2,000 of her deposit after leaving her old rented property due to large cracks in the wall and peeling paint.
Spotting members of the media covering the visit, William joked “I hope they all wiped their feet,” as they toured her new home.
The prince, 36, asked Jackson if she felt more settled in her new home, while Kate, 37, inquired about her choices of decor.
Jackson told reporters afterwards, “They said the house is absolutely lovely. They’re so down to earth, they really got it. They seem to know everything that was going on and were very understanding.”
Prince William and Kate Middleton.PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images
In the shadow of its famous Eiffel Tower-like structure on the promenade, William and Kate walked on theComedy Carpet(in the style of the Hollywood Walk of Fame) that decorates the pavement with catchphrases and depictions of jokes, songs and stories – thenbraved the rainto greet fans.
Kate Middleton and Prince William.Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock
Kate Middleton.Chris Jackson/Getty
Their final stop will be outdoors at Revoe Park, a community garden that had previously been a known location for drug use. However, a long-term community-led initiative has transformed it into an open space where young children experience gardening and the outdoors, as well as providing space and activities that allow parents, particularly men, to talk about mental health.
source: people.com
