Prince William and Princess of Wales to meet volunteers as millions expected to take part in the Big Help Out
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by 0 Prince William and the Princess of Wales are among the royals who will meet volunteers today as the Big Help Out event wraps up the coronation weekend.
Organisers said six million people were expected to take part, either arranging their own community activities or working with groups such as the Scouts, National Trust and RNLI.
Fresh from their appearance at the coronation concert, the Prince of Princess of Wales will be at a Scout hut in Berkshire, while Princess Anne is at an event in Gloucestershire.
Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburgh will help train puppies at a guide dog centre, while the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will meet volunteers at a London street party.
Politicians from the main parties are also getting involved.
The prime minister and his wife are helping at a lunch club, Labour leader Keir Starmer is answering calls for the NHS volunteer responders programme, and Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf is at a community larder.
However, after a busy few days in the spotlight, Buckingham Palace said the King and Queen will not be taking part but are “wholly supportive” of the volunteering event.
More than 52,000 registered events, organised by more than 33,000 organisations, are said to be taking place across the UK.
Matt Hyde, CEO of the Scouts – who came up with the idea with Catherine Johnstone of the Royal Voluntary Service, said there was still time for people to get involved.
“All you have to do is log on to the website or download the app and find something that’s right for you,” he said.
“If you don’t find the thing you want there’s still time to do your own thing; a litter pick with friends, do something nice for a neighbour or sign up to a longer term volunteering role.”
The Big Help Out takes place on the last day of the three-day coronation weekend and follows Sunday night’s concert in the King’s ‘back garden’ at Windsor Castle.
Katy Perry, Take That and Lionel Richie were among the stars who wowed the 20,000-strong crowd – with the King and Queen waving the Union flag and dancing.
Prince William, who was there with the Princess of Wales and his two eldest children, paid an emotional tribute to his father as he gave a speech on stage.
“Pa, we are all so proud of you”, he told him, as he reference the King’s 50 years of service.
The prince added: “As my grandmother said when she was crowned, coronations are a declaration of our hopes for the future.
“And I know she’s up there, fondly keeping an eye on us. She would be a proud mother.”
The prince’s moment in the spotlight came after he and the Princess of Wales earlier delighted crowds on Windsor’s Long Walk with a surprise walkabout.
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The concert followed thousands of street parties and picnics across the country as people came together for the coronation Big Lunch event.
Downing Street was among those to take part, with Rishi Sunak laying on a tasty spread for volunteers, Ukrainian refugees and youth group members.
The event was also attended by First Lady Jill Biden and her granddaughter, who represented the US at Saturday’s coronation in Westminster Abbey.
