The Prince and Princess of Wales will visit two Scottish islands next week to celebrate and connect with rural island communities. William and Kate, who were absent from the weekend’s Easter Sunday service as they spent the weekend with their children in Norfolk, will undertake three engagements in the Isles of Mull and Iona on April 29 and April 30.

During their visit, they will spend time with members of the local community reflecting on the power of social connection and the importance of protecting and championing the natural environment. It comes after Kate released a video last week where she described how she experiences a “very spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection” when spending time in nature, giving her a “sense of peace” in a “very busy world”.

The first stop on their two-day trip will be to the town of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, Mull, where they will visit a much-loved community hub in the heart of the town and an artisan market at which they will meet some of the island’s makers and creators.

They will also visit a local croft – plot of agricultural land – to learn about sustainable farming and hospitality on the island.

Day two will see the Prince and Princess visit an ancient woodland to meet the Mull and Iona Ranger Service, which plays a vital role in conservation, biodiversity protection and education on the islands.

Kate and William will join a local school group as they take part in some outdoor learning.

The Isle of Mull is the fourth largest island in Scotland, with a population of around 3,000 people and home to strong tourism, farming and fishing industries.

Its tiny neighbour, Iona, has a population of around 170 people but receives around 130,000 visitors a year thanks to its ancient history and traditional way of life.

Kensington Palace said: “The landscapes and communities on the Scottish Isles provide a sharp contrast to how many of us in more urban environments live.

“These island communities offer a powerful model for fostering a more loving, empathetic, and compassionate society through deeper connections with our surroundings and engaging more in shared endeavours.”

The royal couple’s visit to Scotland will mark the couple’s first two-day work trip since Kate was diagnosed with cancer at the start of the year.

She is now in remission, having completed her course of chemotherapy at the end of the summer, and continues to gradually return to royal duties.

In February, Kate and William spent the day in Wales to celebrate St David’s Day.