Prince William marked St. Piran’s Day in Cornwall on March 5 with a visit that highlighted both local traditions and the resilience of the region after a difficult winter. The day also saw the future king briefly set aside the title most people know him by.

A different title in Cornwall

When William visits Cornwall, he does not go by Prince of Wales. Instead, he uses the title Duke of Cornwall, a role he inherited in 2022 when his father, King Charles III, became monarch.

The title is more than ceremonial. As Duke of Cornwall, William oversees the Duchy of Cornwall, a large private estate that provides around £23 million annually. The income supports his charitable work, official duties, and the private expenses of his family.

His trip coincided with St. Piran’s Day, a celebration of Cornish heritage and identity. The annual event honours St. Piran, the patron saint of Cornwall, and is widely celebrated across the county. For William, the visit was an opportunity to recognise local culture while also acknowledging the challenges the area recently faced after severe storms.

Trying his hand at a Cornish tradition

During the visit, William stopped at an organic farm where he joined staff at an award-winning bakery known for producing traditional Cornish pasties.

The prince gamely attempted to learn the art of shaping the pastry, carefully copying the technique used by the bakery staff as they pinched and folded the dough. However, the process proved more difficult than expected.

Laughing at his efforts, William admitted that it was harder than it looked. He joked that the result might not be suitable for sale and compared his finished pasty to “a funny little crab.”

The moment also prompted a lighthearted mention of his wife. William joked that this was exactly the kind of task Princess Kate would be far better at and said she would be “all over this” if she were there.

A region recovering from powerful storms

While the visit included moments of humour, it also focused on the challenges Cornwall has faced in recent months. Earlier this year, severe storms swept through the region, leaving tens of thousands of homes without electricity and thousands more without running water.

The bakery William visited managed to keep operating during the outages thanks to a newly installed generator. Staff continued baking throughout the disruption, helping provide food for local residents during a difficult time.

William also visited the fire station in Helston, where he thanked emergency crews who worked through the extreme weather conditions. Storm Goretti brought winds reaching up to 123 miles per hour, making it one of the strongest storms to hit the area in recent years.

William’s role as Duke of Cornwall

During the trip, the duke took part in a round-table discussion with firefighters and local responders who had been involved in the emergency efforts. The conversation focused on how communities coped with the damage caused by fallen trees, power outages, and flooding.

According to Will Bax, secretary of the Duchy of Cornwall, William takes the responsibilities of the role very seriously. Although the public most often associates him with the title Prince of Wales, those working with him say he is deeply involved in the duchy’s projects and priorities.

Bax previously described William as ambitious in his approach to the role and committed to making a meaningful difference for the region.

“He’s easy to follow because he’s got great conviction and personality,” Bax told The Telegraph. “He really wears his heart on his sleeve in terms of social interest and his desire to have a positive impact in the world.”

For Cornwall, the visit served as both a celebration of tradition and a reminder that the duchy remains closely connected to the communities it represents.