Following his visit to Pontypridd alongside his wife, the Prince of Wales has delivered a special message in Welsh to wish Wales a Happy St David’s Day.
This marks the first time Prince William has publicly delivered a message in Welsh.
The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to Wales ahead of St David’s Day. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
In a pre-recorded video shared on Kensington Palace’s social media pages, William said:
“Hello. Today, on St David’s Day, we come together to celebrate Wales – its history, its culture, and its incredible people.”
“From its breathtaking landscapes to its language, Wales continues to inspire.”
“Today, we will celebrate everything that is magical about Wales. To the people of Wales and everybody around the world, Happy St David’s Day.”
Happy St David’s Day from The Prince of Wales 🏴
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus gan Dywysog Cymru 🏴 pic.twitter.com/0PryZlImBl
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) March 1, 2025
While the Prince of Wales has often been heard greeting members of the Welsh community in their native language, it is understood that he has been actively learning Welsh with the help of Duolingo. Additionally, William and Catherine are said to be encouraging their children to learn some basic Welsh phrases. A royal source noted that Prince William “felt it was important” to enhance his Welsh-speaking skills as part of his role.
The Prince of Wales during a visit to Pontypridd Market. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
His efforts follow in the footsteps of King Charles III, who undertook formal Welsh language lessons at Aberystwyth University in 1969 in preparation for his investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle.
William’s growing use of Welsh reflects his ongoing commitment to deepening his connection with the people and culture of Wales.
