Prince William is to launch 'Ready Together' 'emergency preparedness' scheme during a Somerset visit on Tuesday

From the Newshound archive · first published 3 October 2026 · last updated 4 October 2026.

Prince William is heading to Ilminster on Tuesday to mark the official launch of Ready Together, a National Emergencies Trust initiative designed to equip UK communities with practical guidance on preparing for floods, wildfires and other crises. Kensington Palace says research indicates that people are willing to help their neighbours during emergencies but feel that local plans are seriously inadequate. In his role as patron of the trust, William will join volunteers and young people in a series of simulated emergency scenarios.

The prince will also meet the Ilminster Resilience Group, a local organisation that has helped residents through severe flooding across the Somerset region.

He will stop at Sweet Surprise, a cafe in Ilminster that employs adults with learning disabilities, before the visit ends at Ilminster Fire Station.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service will brief him on the mapping and forecasting tools they use to monitor the increasing wildfire risk.