Princess Kate and Prince William beam on first visit to Wales in over 15 months
The Prince and Princess of Wales are undertaking two joint engagements in South Wales today ahead of St David's Day.
Kate Middleton and Prince William arrive in Pontypridd
Princess Kate looked radiant in her bright red Alexander McQueen coat on her visit to South Wales with her husband, Prince William today.
Kensington Palace released a sneak peak of their arrival at Cardiff train station on their social media before the couple's official arrival in Pontypridd.
Shortly afterwards, the couple arrived at the town - some 10 miles from the Welsh capital - to loud cheers.
Kate, who wore her scarlet Alexander McQueen coat, a chequered skirt and a brown roll-necked jumper, and William arrived in Pontypridd Market, 10 miles from Cardiff, to loud cheers - despite their late arrival due to train delays.
At The Welsh Cake Shop, the pair donned aprons as they got stuck in baking the treats before handing the fruits of their labour to market traders and customers.
Madison Conner, 19, said: "They were perfect, they were great, they were banging."
In the kitchen they were each given a mixture and handed a rolling pin and a demonstration by owner Theresa Conner.
Once the mixture was flat they each cut 12 circles and placed them in a pile.
Kate, a keen home baker, looked impressed at William's efforts and said: "Those are so good. How did you do that?"
William joked: "Well I don't know, my stunning bakery skills, Mary Berry taught me everything I need to know."
The cakes were cooked for five minutes on each side while Kate and William went to Fountain Cafe to speak to local business owners who had been devastated by Storm Darragh last December.
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The prince then carried the entire tray to hand out to well-wishers including Kerry Williams, 64, who was wearing an Aston Villa shirt.
William was heard saying: "Welsh Cakes made by us."
The whole tray was snapped up by locals.
Theresa Conner, 46, owner of The Welsh Cake Shop, said afterwards: "They were very good. I asked and they said they had never made Welsh Cakes before.
"They were surprisingly very good and both good bakers. I gave them a quick demonstration and they took to it like ducks to water.
"I should have taken the opportunity to get them in for St David's Day. I can do with all the help I can get."
The shop sells 10 Welsh Cakes for £4, with Palace staff buying 90 to take away for lunch.
Before heading to their next engagement, Kate and William stopped to speak to some of the hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside.
Apphia Stokes, 9, and younger sister Freya, 4, handed Kate some daffodils.
Their grandmother Lynn Sebury, 64, said: "They were lovely. We asked for a photo and they said yes. They got a good Welsh welcome."
The couple travelled to South Wales ahead of St David’s Day on Saturday, and both had daffodils pinned to their jackets in honour of the country’s patron saint.
