(Commonwealth_Europe) Prince William, the Prince of Wales, has made a remarkable gesture on St. David’s Day, delivering a heartfelt message entirely in Welsh. The 42-year-old royal, currently spending the weekend in Pontypridd, South Wales, took to social media on Saturday morning to wish people in Wales and around the world a wonderful St David’s Day.
In the brief video, the Prince conveyed his St. David’s Day greetings in Welsh, which were later translated into English. He began, “Hello. On St David’s Day, we unite to celebrate Wales—its rich history, vibrant culture, and extraordinary people. From its stunning landscapes to its unique language, Wales continues to inspire. Today, we honor all that makes Wales special. Wishing a Happy St David’s Day to the people of Wales and everyone worldwide.”
The clip, which was shared on social media platforms, was captioned, “Happy St David’s Day from The Prince of Wales,” and featured William wearing a daffodil on the lapel of his jacket. The daffodil is the national flower of Wales and is traditionally worn on St David’s Day as a symbol of national pride.
St David’s Day, held annually on March 1st, is a day of celebration for the people of Wales. It commemorates St David, the patron saint of Wales, who was canonized in the 12th century. The day is steeped in tradition, with Welsh people often wearing daffodils or leeks, indulging in traditional Welsh foods, and dressing in traditional attire. Many cities across Wales, including Cardiff, Swansea, and Aberystwyth, also hold parades to mark the occasion.
Prince William’s message and gesture come at a time when he is increasingly focused on embracing Welsh culture. In September 2022, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William inherited the title of Prince of Wales. Since then, he has made efforts to immerse himself in Welsh traditions, particularly the Welsh language. In a move that endeared him even further to the people of Wales, Prince William shared that he was learning the Welsh language. He revealed in September 2022 that he had started studying Welsh, using the popular language-learning app Duolingo.
The Prince’s commitment to learning Welsh became evident when he visited Llanelli for a youth festival celebrating the Welsh language in 2024. During the visit, he mentioned that he was using Duolingo to help him master the language, specifically focusing on learning Welsh “phonetically.” This commitment to language learning and connecting with the Welsh people is considered a genuine effort on Prince William’s part to build stronger ties with Wales and understand its rich heritage.
In addition to his efforts to learn the language, there are other signs that both Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, are eager to immerse themselves in Welsh culture. In July 2024, the royal couple advertised a vacancy for a new Assistant Private Secretary based in London. The job specification specifically noted the importance of fluency in Welsh, stating, “Conversational Welsh is essential, and fluent Welsh, both written and spoken, is desirable.” This is considered a further reflection of their commitment to the Welsh people and their desire to deepen their understanding of Wales and its traditions.
The Prince of Wales’s efforts to connect with Wales and its people have not gone unnoticed. Both he and Kate are working to honor the legacy of the title they inherited from their father, King Charles, who held it for more than six decades. Their engagement with Welsh culture, language, and traditions seems to signal a new chapter in the royal family’s relationship with Wales, one rooted in respect, understanding, and appreciation. Through actions such as these, Prince William is demonstrating his dedication to the people of Wales, embracing their history, culture, and language as a way to strengthen the bonds between Wales and the monarchy.
