Prince William humorously acknowledged a well-known truth, stating, “Behind every average man is an even better wife.”
The Prince of Wales, marking 14 years of marriage to Catherine this year, chuckled and concurred with this sentiment when a youth club leader shared how crucial his partner’s support was.
During a conversation with Scott Jenkinson, 52, founder of Youth Shedz in Mochdre, North Wales, and his wife, Sian, the prince discussed the value of having a strong support system.
“Were you there with Scott when he transformed his life?” William asked Sian, referring to Scott’s past struggles with homelessness and addiction. “He’s done remarkably well to turn things around.”
Sian responded affirmatively, “He has, he really has.”
Scott added, “With my wife behind me. You know that.”
William nodded and replied: ‘This is it. Behind every average man there is an even better wife.’
Scott walked the Prince through different weekly group activities at the space, including cooking, gaming, podcasting and 3D printing.
The Prince of Wales walks with Scott Jenkinson, the founder of Youth Shedz during a visit to its headquarters in Conwy
WIlliam made the familiar remark saying behind an average man is a better wife. Pictured: The Prince and Princess of Wales during the the state visit to the UK of President of France
During the visit, William also spoke about family life and the importance of sitting down to eat together, saying children shouldn’t be ‘by screens or disappearing off elsewhere’.
The Prince had travelled to North Wales to spend time at a ‘youth initiative space’ aimed at young people who have faced complex life challenges, including homelessness and bullying.
At Youth Shedz’s headquarters, in the Prince heard from children about how the project helps them navigate struggles with school and isolation.
The Prince also sat on the Youth Shedz outreach Bus “Betsi” which is used to reach young people in the surrounding community.
He commented ‘this is like a party bus’ and joined the children who were making clay onboard.
Children spoke to William about overcoming shyness and explained how groups and forums on social media can help to bridge connections.
The Prince said: ‘I always say, if you can start working with really good people in your community, then they will connect you and you can work your way up like that.
‘You need a little bit of advice as to who to go to and when and that will help you.
‘Foundations are really important. It is no good going straight up to the top.’
Scott said afterwards: ‘One of our kids struggles with anger and The Prince asked him who he speaks to and he said no one.
‘The Prince told him to talk to people, talk to Scott, talk to your teachers.
‘The Prince really took the time to tell the children about foundations in life and how getting the right foundations when your young can then be built on in the future.’
William went on to watch children using the 3D printers and asked what exactly they found difficult about school.
The Prince had travelled to North Wales to spend time at a ‘youth initiative space’
The Prince of Wales even had time to play some pool during a visit to the youth centre in Mochdre in Wales
The Prince said: ‘How does school make you feel? Does it make you anxious, angry, frustrated?’
He questioned multiple times if ‘noise’ or ‘too many people in a classroom’ were possible causes of difficulty.
Scott and Sian’s daughter, Emily, als showed the Prince a glimpse into the cooking classes Youth Shedz runs for the children after school and gave him homemade earrings for Catherine.
Sian, a leader at Youth Shedz, explained to the Prince one of their key foundations for the children is learning how to build relationships through sitting down and eating at a table.
She said: ‘A lot of families don’t sit around a table and talk anymore.
We are trying to do what we can to make sitting down and chatting fun.’
The Prince agreed with the importance of this, adding that children shouldn’t be ‘by screens or disappearing off elsewhere’.
The Prince joked that the sugary homemade gifts he was given from the cookery display ‘may never make it back’ to his own children.
He also asked some school teachers in attendance if they ever felt “isolated” or “cut off” in this part of Wales.
They explained the power of community and the large role Youth Shedz played in this.
The Prince said: ‘This space is amazing. It is useful and such an important part of the community, having a space like this to go to.’
Emily, a regular Youth Shedz attendee, said: ‘The Prince has had a really positive impact on us here. He asked questions and he was really interested.’
Mr Jenkinson founded Youth Shedz in 2017 after struggling with a heroin addiction and experiencing homelessness in London.
He said: ‘My vision is to have a Youth Shedz in every town, and one in the palace, could you imagine that?’
