Prince William made a special appearance in Devon on Thursday, just hours after his wife, Princess Catherine, made a triumphant return to Royal Ascot. The Prince of Wales visited the Apricot Centre, a regenerative farm near Totnes, where he engaged in activities such as meeting a large pig named Ginger Spice and taste-testing a strawberry.
Exploring the Apricot Centre
The heir to the throne toured the 120-acre farm, starting at the food packaging section where lettuce was being added to bundles of fresh produce destined for direct customers, market sales, and local food banks. He then headed to the strawberry patch, where he sampled a fruit after admitting he had been "eyeing up" the strawberries and raspberries in the packaging area.
Meeting Ginger Spice
During his visit, Prince William encountered one of the resident farm animals, a large ginger pig with black spots named Ginger Spice. The pig lives with others named after the Spice Girls. The farm was established in 2015 by farmer Marina O'Connell and her psychotherapist husband, Mark O'Connell, who transformed a disused dairy farm using organic and regenerative methods while offering wellbeing therapies.
Farm's Achievements and Focus
The centre's food production combines agroforestry, permaculture, rotational grazing, and crop rotation. It is now carbon neutral, has increased biodiversity by 400%, and achieves an annual turnover of £1.3 million. The centre also focuses on nature-based therapies, supporting the mental, emotional, and social wellbeing of children, young people, families, and farming communities. It provides training courses and educational visits for primary and secondary school pupils.
Prince William's Environmental Interests
William's visit highlighted his interest in the transition to net zero, aligning with the Duchy of Cornwall's target of becoming net zero across the estate by 2032. Throughout the tour, he asked questions about the impact of climate change and extreme weather events on crop growth. The centre's adult courses, partly government and philanthropically funded, offer a natural approach to farming free of chemicals or fertilisers.
Wellbeing Garden
The tour concluded at the wellbeing garden, which features thriving flower plants, a gazebo, and a waterfall. This garden, an award-winning feature at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 for Bowel Research UK, provides a haven for younger children to connect with nature and biodiversity.
The visit came as the Princess of Wales returned to Royal Ascot on Wednesday for the first time in two years, having last attended the annual racing event in 2023.
