Kate and William get a taste of country life at Northern Ireland Cider Farm

Kate Middleton showed she’s never one to sit on the sidelines during the Waleses’ surprise trip to Northern Ireland, rolling up her sleeves to learn an ancient linen-making craft and sampling cider in classic country style.

At a flax farm in County Tyrone, the Princess of Wales tackled a heritage flax-breaking method, stepping into the shoes of rural artisans as she operated a traditional flax brake with gusto.

Prince William quipped that he had picked up “lots of new words” during the visit perhaps a nod to the technical vocabulary of linen production.

Later in the afternoon, the royal couple made a stop at Long Meadow Cider Farm in County Armagh, where Kate and William participated in a royal bake off making potato apple bread, sampled freshly pressed apple cider vinegar, and joined in the orchard harvesting.

The family run orchard, operated by the McKeevers for more than six decades, has been producing cider, apple juice, and apple cider vinegar since 1968. 

As William and Kate arrived, the Prince cheerfully greeted the hosts, saying, “Here are the geniuses. This is a family business?”

Kate admitted, “I like that … I haven’t taken it as a shot like this before,” though she couldn’t help noting she often uses it in salads at home.

The Prince rolled out his dough, Catherine McKeever teased, “Try and keep it a circle,” prompting the Prince to laugh at his rather rectangular creation. 

“A circle? Now you tell me! If you look this way, it looks like a circle. This is a new variety!” he joked, earning chuckles all around.

The pair then moved on to peeling apples for the filling, with William quipping mid-task, “If we’re peeling every apple, you’re going to have to start helping we’ll be here a while!” 

When Pat McKeever called out, “I like mine thick,” William laughed, replying, “You’ll get what you’re given,” before nudging Kate, adding, “Do keep up!”