St. David's Day: Catherine delivers first wholly Welsh message as William joins Powys visit

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has for the first time recorded a video message entirely in Welsh to mark st. david's day, a message published alongside remarks from the Prince of Wales. The couple also made a mid Wales visit to Powys earlier this week, meeting community projects and services as crowds waved daffodils and braved wet weather.

Video message in Welsh recorded on the Windsor estate

The video was recorded earlier this week on the Windsor estate and was posted on Sunday. Catherine delivers her first message entirely in Welsh and tells viewers that "Wales is very close to our hearts, and we look forward to every visit. " Standing alongside her, William addresses the nation in Welsh, opening with: "To everyone in Wales, a very happy St David's Day. " He also praises the country, saying: "It is a beautiful country, with a rich history and wonderful people. " Catherine finishes the recorded message by wishing people "a day full of celebration with family and friends. " The Prince of Wales had delivered his first message in Welsh on St David's Day last year.

Focus on mothers' mental health during rainy mid Wales visit

During a rainy Wednesday visit to mid Wales, Catherine spoke about her passion for mothers' mental health while meeting members of a perinatal service. In Newtown, Powys, she met staff from Mums Matter, a perinatal service for women experiencing mental health problems linked to early motherhood, and described the subject she is focusing on as important. Ella Hopkins, 25, who began volunteering with the service after fleeing domestic violence with her 10-month-old son Marcus, called Catherine "absolutely incredible. " Hopkins said the princess "got really invested, she was asking lots of questions" and that Catherine had told people she felt passionate about parents "being able to be committed and devoted through their own stability. "

The Hanging Gardens in Llanidloes and Newtown gallery stop

The royal couple first travelled to The Hanging Gardens in Llanidloes, a community project described as focused on resilience and creativity, before visiting an art gallery in Newtown. While at the Hanging Gardens they ordered hot drinks at the Llanidloes cafe and sat down to chat with people making Welsh language festival signs. Catherine described places like The Hanging Gardens as "a lifeline to so many people in the community. " Crowds had gathered at the first venue despite the wet weather, many waving Welsh flags and holding bunches of daffodils.

Forge, market and school performances ahead of st. david's day

The couple visited a forge, where they met nursery children aged three and four waiting with signs they had drawn, and greeted Ollie Jones, 21, watching him make a hook. They went on to a performing arts space to see schoolchildren perform Welsh songs, then to producers in the adjoining market. William sampled a glass of cider before the pair went into a kitchen where traditional cawl and Welsh cakes were being made ahead of st. david's day on Sunday.

Crowds, selfies, an Aston Villa scarf and the wider St David's Day backdrop

On more than one occasion the couple stepped out to meet cheering crowds. After what was meant to be the end of their visit and a short drive, William and Catherine stepped out again to meet well-wishers including children who handed them bunches of flowers and pictures they had drawn. The pair, both wearing daffodils on their lapels, braved heavy rain for 25 minutes, with Catherine giving high-fives and hugs and William posing for selfies. William spotted a group of children holding up a scarf for Aston Villa, the football club he has supported since his school days, and told them: "That's a great way to get my attention. " Outside, Catherine praised the children's performance at Llanidloes school, saying: "It was so lovely to meet the children singing inside - they were incredible. "

Events including parades and concerts will be held in villages and towns across Wales to celebrate St. David's Day on Sunday. Little is known about the saint himself: legend says he was born on a clifftop in Pembrokeshire during a violent storm after angels foretold his birth to St Patrick 30 years earlier. Some believe he lived to be 100 years old and died on 1 March 589, a date recognised as the Feast of St David.