PRINCESS Kate and Prince William got involved in a firefighter drill during a surprise royal “away-day” trip.
Kate and Wills joined trainee firefighters taking part in drills as they began a day-long visit to Northern Ireland.

The Prince and Princess visited the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service’s (NIFRS) new Learning and Development College[/caption]
Wills and Kate climbing into a fire engine[/caption]
Wills and Kate watched on as the dramatic simulation unfolded[/caption]
Theyalso took part in a training scenario[/caption]
The royals will also visit organisations showcasing investment in rural areas and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people.
The royal couple got involved while visiting Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service’s £50million new Learning and Development College, near Cookstown, County Tyrone.
The Prince and Princess of Wales watched as emergency workers simulated rescuing a casualty from a fast-flowing river.
And they toured a warehouse training area where recruits practised rope and ladder rescues and tested breathing apparatus.
Will and Kate were then shown around by Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings, walking past a replica village into a training warehouse where the drills were taking place.
They warmly greeted two recent graduates of the 18-week training course, firefighters Piarais McCaffery (corr) and Caoimhe McNeice (corr) to hear about their experience of training at the 50-acre site.
After watching hose drills outside the warehouse, the Prince and Princess boarded the fire engine and watched the simulated floodwater rescue.
William and Kate also took part in a flood rescue drill, from the safety of the bank.
Both royals attempted to throw a line attached to a float to rescue a “casualty”, played by an instructor.
But unfortunately neither manage to reach him as he was swept past by the current.
The college is the largest investment ever undertaken by the NIFRS.
Training facilities at the countryside base include the flood water rescue simulator.
Aidan Jennings, NIFRS chief fire officer, described the visit as “a proud and unforgettable day” for the service.
He said; “With a one team ethos in NIFRS, our personnel work together to help make Northern Ireland a safer place.
“It was a privilege to have our royal visitors meet many people across our Service and recognise their commitment, dedication and enthusiasm in doing so.
“I’m honoured that the Prince and Princess witnessed first-hand how the real-life scenario-based training facilities are revolutionising how we train and develop our people enabling us to meet the evolving needs of a modern-day Fire & Rescue Service.
“Our next generation of Firefighters currently undergoing their training at the college clearly demonstrated that today in their display of operational skills and capabilities.
“I would like to sincerely thank the Prince and Princess for their visit, their kind words, support and recognition of the work of all our people in NIFRS dedicated to serving our community and keeping people safe.
“I would also like to thank the Northern Ireland Office, the Executive Office and the Department of Health for their efforts and support in making this memorable visit possible.”
Wills and Kate have visited Northern Ireland on a number of occasions, the most recent trip being in 2022.
During that visit, they went to a suicide prevention charity in Belfast, participated in a cocktail-making race at a market, and visited a youth charity in Carrickfergus.
They have also made trips in 2019 and 2021, focusing on different areas like sports, youth support, and the new medical school at Ulster University.
Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales visited a centre for parents and children in Oxford last week.
Kate was at Home-Start Oxford to speak about the “everyday moments of love and connection” between parents and children and “lay foundations for lifelong social and emotional skills”.
Kate took part in a “stay and play” session with carers and children, including games such as dressing up, tea parties, making play dough and craft.
And the Princess of Wales also recently warned smartphones and screens are causing an “epidemic of disconnection” in an essay.
Kate published the document after William revealed they won’t allow their three children to have mobiles.
Her 1,500-word essay, The Power Of Human Connection In A Distracted World, was written in collaboration with Harvard psychiatry professor Robert Waldinger, who has worked with Kate’s project, the Royal Foundation Centre For Early Childhood.
It warns that gadgets are causing loneliness and isolation which is “particularly acute” for children born into this tech-filled world.

It is the latest royal visit from the Prince and Princess of Wales this year[/caption]
Prince William and Princess Kate at the state visit of US President Donald Trump[/caption]