Catherine Delivers First Video Entirely in Welsh as William and Catherine Visit Powys Ahead of St. David's Day
The Princess of Wales has for the first time delivered a video message entirely in Welsh to mark St. David's Day, a move that coincided with a wet-weather visit by the royal couple to Powys this week. The video and the visit underline the couple's engagement with Welsh communities ahead of St. David's Day.
St. David's Day message in Welsh
In the recorded message in Welsh, the Prince of Wales said: "To everyone in Wales, a very happy St David's Day, " standing alongside the Princess of Wales. Catherine said Wales was "very close to our hearts, " and William praised the nation as "a beautiful country, with a rich history and wonderful people. " Catherine finished the short video saying: "Wishing you a day full of celebration with family and friends. " The video was recorded earlier this week on the Windsor estate and was released through official royal channels. The Prince of Wales delivered his first message in Welsh on St David's Day last year.
William and Catherine visit Powys before St. David's Day
The royal couple paid a visit to Powys earlier this week, travelling first to The Hanging Gardens in Llanidloes, a community project focused on resilience and creativity, before visiting an art gallery in Newtown. They arrived to cheers from crowds waving Welsh flags and holding bunches of daffodils, the national flower of Wales.
Community engagements: The Hanging Gardens, Mums Matter and local makers
During the wet midweek visit the Princess of Wales spoke about her passion for mothers' mental health and met members of Mums Matter, a perinatal service for women experiencing mental health problems linked to early motherhood. In Newtown she met Ella Hopkins, 25, who began volunteering with the service after fleeing domestic violence with her 10-month-old son, Marcus; Hopkins described the Princess as "absolutely incredible. " Catherine described places like The Hanging Gardens as "a lifeline to so many people in the community. "
The couple ordered hot drinks at the Llanidloes cafe and chatted with people making Welsh-language festival signs. They visited a forge and met nursery children aged three and four who were waiting with signs they had drawn, and they greeted Ollie Jones, 21, watching him make a hook. In the centre's performing arts space they watched schoolchildren perform Welsh songs.
Street-level moments and local food ahead of St. David's Day
At a market the couple spoke with producers, where the Prince sampled a glass of cider and later visited a kitchen where traditional cawl and Welsh cakes were being made in preparation for St. David's Day. Despite heavy rain they stayed in the area and spent around 25 minutes speaking to well-wishers, with the Princess giving high-fives and hugs and the Prince posing for selfies. After briefly leaving in a vehicle the pair stepped out again to meet cheering crowds, including children who handed them bunches of flowers and pictures.
