The Princess of Wales has issued a surprise social media message for a cause close to her heart as she continues treatment for cancer. On Sept. 6, the Princess of Wales, 42, penned a post on X and Instagram Stories for the official accounts she shares with husband Prince William to congratulate adventurer and TV presenter Dwayne Fields on becoming the new Chief Scout of Scouts UK. In 2020, Princess Kate became joint president of the organization, working alongside Queen Elizabeth's cousin, Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent.
“Looking forward to working with you!” the royal wrote, signing the post “C.” Prince William and Princess Kate are known to sign social media posts with the initials of their first names as shorthand to signal when messages come directly from them — and the “C” stands for her full name, Catherine!
The announcement from the Scouts explained that the group gave Fields “skills, belief in himself and place to belong” when he became a Cub Scout.
Princess Kate was a Brownie alongside her sister Pippa when she was a young girl, and revealed during a visit to the Scouts headquarters in 2019 that she'd like her kids Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, 9, to get involved, too. (At the time, Prince Louis, 6, was just a baby!)
Princess Kate had the opportunity to do just that at The Big Help Out volunteer day following the coronation of King Charles in May 2023, when she and Prince William brought their three kids to volunteer at the 3rd Upton Scout Group in Slough to pitch in on various projects.
Kate's social media post congratulating Fields on his new post marked a rare update, as she remains outside of the limelight while continuing cancer treatment. The Princess of Wales shared the news about her health in March and has reduced her duties since. No expectation has been set around her return to work, and Prince William kicked off his fall schedule with an art gallery visit connected to his Homewards campaign on Sept. 5.
Dwayne Fields: The New UK Chief Scout
Fields, 41, is the first black Briton to reach the North Pole. He told the BBC that inner-city London was violent and robberies were commonplace when he was young.
“I was stabbed, I was a victim of street violence, I'd never carried a knife with malice, I've never carried any instruments with malice, and I suffered a stabbing incident just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he added.
He says he was stabbed twice when he was 19 after an altercation outside a nightclub. At 21, he says he had a gun pointed at him and only survived because the weapon jammed.
Fields first attended a Scouts meeting in Palmers Green, north London, when he was seven, and said: “I never thought I belonged anywhere until the moment I walked into that hut.”
Mr Fields, who has been an ambassador for the Scouts since 2017, will be visiting these areas and “encouraging and inspiring teams to grow the movement”.
Fields said: “Scouts helped shape who I am today and I hope my story will encourage others to join and achieve their dreams.
“My volunteer leaders believed in me as a young person and taught me to believe in myself. They showed me I could do anything I put my mind to and others would help me along the way.
“Now I want a new generation to learn the skills for life, friendship and belonging I felt when I needed them most. I want to show that the outdoors is a place for all of us to be at our best and truly open to all.”
Fields's Background and Impact
Fields's story is one of resilience and overcoming adversity. Growing up in an inner-city estate in east London, he faced gang violence, knife crime, and gun crime. He credits the Scouts with giving him a sense of belonging and purpose.
Born in Jamaica, Fields came to the UK at the age of six. He has spoken openly about the challenges he faced growing up in inner-city London, where he was a victim of both knife and gun crime. He was offered “new horizons” with the Scouts, according to the group. When he joined as a Cub scout, membership of his local pack gave him “friendships, skills, belief in himself and hope for his future”.
A Path Less Traveled
Fields has also spoken about the importance of encouraging more inner-city children to take the opportunity to explore the countryside and break the mold of “middle-aged white guys” dominating exploration. He told the Telegraph he hopes his appointment will encourage children from a similar background to join the Scouts: “ I hope everyone who sees me in this role can identify something of themselves in me and say ‘actually if that guy can do it, i can do it too.’
The Future of Scouts
Fields's appointment as Chief Scout comes at a time when the organization is facing challenges, including declining membership and a lack of diversity. He has said that he wants to use his time in the role to focus on growth and bringing more volunteers on-board.
“The more we get more young people to go outside and be active in the outdoors and spend time in nature, in our natural spaces, the more they'll appreciate it and want to safeguard it going forward,” he said.
Fields's appointment as Chief Scout is a significant step for the organization. He is a role model for young people from all backgrounds, and his story is a testament to the power of the Scouts to transform lives.
A Time of Change and Opportunity
Fields's appointment represents a significant shift for Scouts UK, moving away from its historical leadership toward a more inclusive and representative future. He is committed to making the outdoors accessible to all young people, regardless of their background, and his leadership will be instrumental in driving positive change within the organization.
Fields's appointment has been met with enthusiasm and hope for the future of Scouts UK. He is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, and his leadership will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of Scouts to make a difference in the world. His story is an inspiration to young people from all backgrounds, showing them that with determination, anything is possible. The Scouts have a long and proud history of providing opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and develop their skills. With Fields at the helm, the organization is poised to enter a new era of growth, inclusivity, and innovation.
