Prince William hits the pub with Princess Kate in Bute under new Scottish titles

Prince William and Kate Middleton made their first official visit to the Isle of Bute on Thursday, stepping into their Scottish titles as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay for a day centered on community and volunteering.

The royal couple shared a warm moment on Instagram after stopping by The Anchor Tavern in Port Bannatyne, a pub brought back to life by local residents after it closed in 2020.

"A much-loved pub brought back to life by the local community in Port Bannatyne. Now community-owned and thriving once again, the pub and neighbouring hub show the difference that everyday places to meet, talk and spend time together can make to island life," the royal couple wrote, thanking the pub for hosting them alongside a group photo with staff.

The visit marked the first time Prince William and Princess Kate had traveled to Rothesay, the town that lends its name to their Scottish titles, despite holding them for more than four years. They arrived by ferry for a day of engagements around the island life and volunteer-led community efforts.

Their itinerary included a stop at Bute Shinty Club, where they tried their hand at the traditional Scottish sport. Kate, drawing on her background in field hockey, successfully landed a shot after some early nerves, later joking to onlookers that she worried she might "take someone's teeth out." William also took a few attempts before finding his mark.

The couple also joined local volunteers for a beach clean-up at Ettrick Bay with Beachwatch Bute, a charity that has maintained the island's coastline since 1998.

Using litter pickers and reusable bags, Prince William and Kate helped clear marine debris while chatting with residents, including a young boy who had just found a message in a bottle moments before their arrival. Prince William joked he hoped it wasn't "a message for help from someone stuck on an island."

The trip follows the couple's visit to the Scottish isles of Mull and Iona last year, continuing their pattern of engagement with island communities across Scotland.