Kate Middleton was reportedly turned down after making a playful request to turn on the sirens during a royal visit to a firefighter training centre in Northern Ireland with Prince William.
On Tuesday (October 14), the Prince and Princess of Wales toured the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service’s (NIFRS) new £50 million Learning and Development College near Cookstown. The state-of-the-art facility spans 50 acres and features some of the world’s most advanced firefighting simulators.
Dressed in a tailored green Alexander McQueen coat and matching Gianvito Rossi boots, the Princess watched closely as firefighters demonstrated a series of rescue drills, including floodwater rescues, rope ladder training, and breathing apparatus exercises.
But the royals weren’t just spectators — they joined in. During one exercise, both William and Kate tried their hand at throwing a flotation line to an instructor pretending to be a casualty adrift in the water. Despite their best efforts, neither managed to hit the target.
Afterwards, the couple boarded a fire truck for a ride across the training grounds. That’s when Kate’s playful side emerged. She jokingly asked if the sirens could be switched on for the trip and even teased about wanting William to take the driver’s seat.
But the answer, it seems, was a firm no.
“She was wanting the sirens on,” said firefighter Caoimhe McNeice, who accompanied the couple on the ride. “But the driver was strictly told no. She was wanting the Prince to drive. But the driver got us there safely anyway.”
McNeice described the moment as “just a bit of banter,” adding that both royals were warm, relaxed, and eager to engage with everyone they met.
Visitors at the event also spoke about William and Kate’s natural connection. One attendee said in a video shared on social media: “They didn’t make you feel nervous at all. Just lovely, really, really lovely. You can see the chemistry between the two — they just bounce off each other.”
The new NIFRS training college, which officially opened in May, represents the largest investment in the service’s history. It also boasts one of only two floodwater rescue simulators in the world. NIFRS Chief Fire and Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings called the royal visit “a proud and unforgettable day,” saying: “It was a privilege to have our royal visitors meet many people across our service and recognise their commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm.”
Following the visit, the couple travelled to Mallon Farm in rural Northern Ireland, where they learned about sustainable flax farming and the revival of the region’s historic linen industry. Helen Keys MBE, who co-runs the project with Charlie Mallon, said the visit “shines a light on our mission to build a sustainable local linen economy.”
The surprise day of engagements marked Kate’s first trip to Northern Ireland since 2022 — and her first public appearance there since her cancer diagnosis and treatment. Prince William last visited Belfast in 2024 for his Homewards initiative.
According to Kensington Palace, the visit was designed to highlight “innovative organisations that showcase growth and investment in rural areas.”
