You can access Ynys Llanddwyn at low tide via a mile long walk along this Anglesey beach. (Amy Laughinghouse/QMI Agency)

Anglesey, Wales - A year ago, Anglesey was a "low profile" isle in every sense of the word. Its highest point, Holyhead "Mountain," barely tops 700 feet and few people outside of the United Kingdom were probably even aware it existed. But this 250-square-mile patchwork of green fields filled with fattened sheep is about to enjoy its day in the sun--figuratively, if not literally. (This is Wales, after all, not the Costa del Sol).

Chalk its newfound notoriety up to Prince William and his betrothed, Kate Middleton. The pair appeared here on February 25 for their first official joint engagement since, well, their engagement last autumn. They wowed a crowd more than 1,000 strong at Trearddur Bay, where they christened a new lifeboat--a seemingly modest undertaking, but it may be the event that launches a thousand ships, as tourists around the world wake up to this island off Wales' west coast.

Will arrived on Anglesey in January 2010 to train with the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force at Valley base in the west. Last September, he earned his wings--or rather, his helicopter rotor blades--and now "Flight Lieutenant Wales" serves here as a full-time pilot, as well as, presumably, a part-time prince. (When even a future monarch feels compelled to take a second job, you know the economy is in a slump).

On April 29, His Royal Highness will assume yet another title--that of husband--when he weds Kate at London's Westminster Abbey. Afterwards, the newlyweds will begin their married life on Anglesey, also known as Ynys Mon among locals, most of whom count Welsh as their first language.

So what could lure Will and Kate away from the bright lights and posh palaces of London? Well, if they're nature lovers, they've found the ideal spot. Anglesey's 125-mile coast is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with hiking paths traversing award-winning beaches, dramatic cliffs and spectacular geologic formations, such as Bwa Gwyn, the quartzite stone arch near Rhoscolyn.

They can get their feet wet with a variety of water sports, ranging from surfing, windsurfing, and kite surfing to scuba diving, water skiing, sailing and canoeing, or take a swing on one of eight golf courses. If they miss life in the fast lane, they can watch the races at the Anglesey Circuit, the second widest British racetrack after Silverstone, or put the pedal to the medal themselves with a class at the Performance Driving Centre.

Then again, perhaps Will and Kate are simply romantics at heart, as Anglesey claims a 1500-year-old connection to Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. Legend holds that, after her deadbeat boyfriend (a prince, by the way) refused to marry her, Dwynwen swore off men. (We've all been there, sister). She lived the rest of her life on a tiny island now called Ynys Llanddwyn, which can be accessed at low tide via a one-mile walk along a beach abutted by golden dunes and pine forest.

"In the age of the Celtic saints, people would make pilgrimages here," says Graham Williams, a Warden for the Countryside Council for Wales. "There were eels in a well, and the way they moved would foretell whether a couple would stay together."

Writhing eels are old news, though. Now all eyes are on the royal lovebirds, who have already set up house on Anglesey.

You might expect them to roost in a grand old home like Plas Newyddan, an historic 18th century manor located in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (one of the longest place names in the world, by the way--although I wouldn't envy Kate having to write that return address on her 1,900 wedding invitations).

There are also several 13th century castles in the area, including the perfectly symmetrical Beaumaris on Anglesey's east coast. Or, if they didn't mind a short commute to mainland Wales, the couple could have cozied up in Caernarfon Castle, where Edward I is said to have presented his son as the first (non-Welsh) Prince of Wales. Will's father, Prince Charles, was also named "Prince of Wales" at a ceremony here in 1969. Objects from his investiture, including the Welsh slate gray throne that Queen Elizabeth sat in, are featured in a museum that takes up several rooms in the otherwise empty, echoing chambers of this multi-turreted castle.

But Will and Kate have opted for more humble digs in a white farmhouse not far from Ynys Llanddwyn. T.W. Owen, a carpenter who used to work on the estate, has a friend who is currently doing maintenance on the house. "Kate makes him a cup of tea every time he's there," Owen says. "I think she's a nice friendly girl, and I hear Will's an ordinary guy to speak with. He's alright."

Owen's sentiments are echoed by Rob Roberts, a cook for the Bull Hotel in Valley. Last year, Will accompanied some mates to the hotel's pub, an unpretentious establishment with bare wood tables, a wood-beamed ceiling and a dart board hung on the wall. "He sat in the bar with all the locals, mingling with the crowd," recalls Roberts, who whipped up a steak and ale pie and chocolate fudge cake for the future king, who washed them down with fruit juice.

Will and Kate are also said to frequent the White Eagle, an upscale pub in Rhoscolyn, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out towards the coast, and Y Morfa in Rhosneigr, which features an intimate dining room atop a clubby pub. But they apparently fancy a home-cooked meal now and then, too, as they've often been spotted shopping for salmon and vegetables at local grocery stores Tesco and Waitrose.

While it's hard to imagine Prince William or his betrothed schlepping groceries, it's that very sense of normalcy that might prove the greatest attraction of all for this young couple"¦and for royal-watchers anxious to catch a glimpse of them "in the wild," as it were.

"You do get peace and quiet on Anglesey," says Benjamin Lee of Y Becws Mefus bakery, who created a complimentary chocolate cake for Will and Kate to congratulate them on their engagement. "Some of the walks around here, you won't see anyone else. That's a luxury for them. You can buy everything else, but you can't buy that."

IF YOU GO

Getting there: Fly into London and continue by train to Holyhead. (You can purchase a BritRail pass through www.acprail.com). Alternatively, fly into Cardiff and continue by plane to Anglesey Airport, or fly into Dublin and take the high-speed ferry to Holyhead. In Holyhead, you may wish to rent a car to tool around the island.

Where to stay:

Plas Dinas, Bontnewydd, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL54 7YF, Tel: +44 (0)1286 830 214, www.plasdinas.co.uk. Located on mainland Wales, not far from Anglesey, this five-star, 10-room country house has a long history with the royals. The late Princess Margaret and her husband Lord Snowdon spent quite a bit of time at the manor home, which is owned by Snowden's half-brother, Peregrine Armstrong-Jones, and run by partners Andy and Julian Banner-Price. The rooms and hallways are filled with memorabilia, such as an invitation to Princess Margaret's wedding at Westminster Abbey (where Will and Kate will tie the knot April 29). Will-watchers will also be interested to know that he dined here in January 2011, and his signature is in the guest book to prove it.

Neuadd Lwyd, Penmynydd, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Ynys Mon LL61 5BX, tel: +44(0)1248 715 005, www.neuaddlwyd.co.uk. This erstwhile Victorian rectory is now a five-star, four-bedroom country guest house featuring fresh gourmet fare prepared by proprietress Susannah Woods, who runs the establishment with her husband Peter. In 2007, the pair played host to Prince Charles, who came here to launch a charity designed to encourage economic activity among folks who are 50 and older. Peter will gladly offer a tour of the 14th century church next door, where some of the royal family's Tudor relatives are buried.

More information: www.visitwales.com, www.visitanglesey.co.uk, www.visitbritain.com.