Prince William marks St David's Day in Wales after defiant Kate statement issued
Prince William is undertaking a series of visits in Wales today to mark St David's Day.
Prince William has travelled to Wales today to mark St David's Day with a series of visits.
The Prince of Wales, 41, will first visit Wrexham to celebrate Welsh culture and the city’s vibrant community spirit. Whilst there he will travel to The Turf pub next to Wrexham AFC to hear about the positive impact the venue and the club has had on the local community.
Following this, William will head to a local school to engage with its St. David’s Day celebrations and hear about the work pupils have been carrying out to learn about Welsh history and culture.
Finally, the heir will also visit the memorial of the Gresford Mining Disaster, one of the most serious disasters in British coal mining history where 260 people were killed, to recognise those who lost their lives 90 years ago.
It comes after royal aides issued an update on the Princess of Wales following speculation over her health. They said: "Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the princess' recovery and we'd only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands."
THIS BLOG HAS NOW CLOSED, LOOK BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE OF WILLIAM'S VISIT ON FRIDAY
KEY EVENTS
William heads home
Prince William's visit to Wales has come to an end. Thanks for following our live updates from his three engagements to mark St David's Day.
Prince William meets school pupils
William stands next to Richard Hatwood, the headteacher, as he meets pupils during a visit to Ysgol Yr Holl Saint/All Saint's School in Wrexham to see how the school is celebrating St David's Day.
He also heard about how it is teaching its pupils about local Welsh history and cultural traditions.
William visits Gresford Colliery Disaster memorial
William talks with Ruby McBurney, the daughter of a victim of the Gresford Disaster, during his visit to the Gresford Colliery Disaster memorial in north Wales.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the tragic event which saw 266 men die following an explosion in the Gresford Colliery.
More than 500 men were trapped underground following the explosion in the early hours of the morning, with the number of workers on site much larger than usual as many had doubled their shifts so they could watch a Wrexham football match later that day.
Adorable moment with a little girl
William made a little girl's day as he visited her primary school in Wrexham this afternoon.
The royal went over and complimented her giant daffodil, that she wore around her neck, much to the delight of the youngster.
A little girl shares a moment with Prince William as he compliments her daffodil for St David\u2019s Day, during a visit to @AllSaintsCIW in Wrexham \ud83c\udf3c pic.twitter.com/HHnymLksbJ
\u2014 Radio City News (@RadioCityNews) March 1, 2024
Gifts for Princess Kate
On his second visit of the day, William heads to All Saints School where he is handed a number of gifts and a stunning bouquet of flowers for his wife.
He was handed three presents for their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.
William thanks the children for their presents and says he will hand them on to the Princess of Wales and their children.
"I'll pass those on to Catherine," he said.
William enjoys a shot
Prince William enjoyed a shot with Rob McElhenney behind the bar during a visit to the The Turf Pub.
The Hollywood star suggested his own blended American whiskey brand, Four Walls, and the pair each knocked back a shot.
William receives personalised shirt
William leaves the pub and heads to the pitch at Wrexham AFC.
He heard about the club’s redevelopment and historic rise over the past three years since the takeover by Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, and met with staff and players.
While he was there he received a gift, and was handed a personalised Wrexham AFC shirt on the pitch.
William high-fives a young royal fan
Prince William has a high five with young fan Florence Boyle during his visit to The Turf Pub.
He then stops to chat to the youngster before posing for a photo with her family.
'That's why I don't work behind the bar!'
It wouldn't be a royal visit to a pub without seeing him get behind the bar and attempt to pour a pint himself!
William joins tried to pull a pint of the popular Madri lager.
His first effort was all foam and declared "horrendous" by the prince and his second was not much better.
"Still got a horrible head on it, that's why I don't work behind the bar. That might settle in about an hour, talk among yourselves," he quipped.
William chats inside the Turf pub
The Turf pub is the oldest public house at any sports stadium around the world.
During the visit, The Prince met staff, members of the local community and representatives of charitable organisations to hear about how it plays a key role as a hub for the local area, and the support it provides to local causes.
William visits The Turf Pub
The Prince of Wales talks with Chairman of Wrexham AFC Rob McElhenney during his visit to The Turf Pub, near Wrexham AFC.
He tookover the club with actor Ryan Reynolds three years ago. Ryan was unable to join them as he's currently away filming the next Deadpool.
William said:
He said: "It's a great success story you're building here, everything you've started and achieved it's fantastic, so onwards and upwards - it's exciting.
"And anyone who's a true football fan wants to see you do well."
William and Kate mark St David's Day
Earlier on Friday, the Prince and Princess of Wales marked St David's Day on their social media pages.
But fans were quick to notice that the post was quickly updated after it referred to the royal couple as 'patrons' rather than Colonel-in-Chief.
Proud to be Colonel and Colonel-in-Chief of the Welsh Guards and 1st The Queen\u2019s Dragoon Guards. Happy St David\u2019s Day! \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f
\u2014 The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 1, 2024
Yn falch o fod yn Gyrnol ac yn Brif Gyrnol y Gwarchodlu Cymreig a Gwarchodlu Drag\u0175n 1af Y Frenhines. Dydd G\u0175yl Dewi Hapus!@Official_1WG@TheWelshCavalry pic.twitter.com/ynw8e3Pu90
Good afternoon
Good afternoon from London, I'm Emily Ferguson and I'll be bringing you all the latest updates from Prince William's trip to Wales this afternoon.
Feel free to get in touch with me as I work at emily.ferguson @reachplc.com