Key Points
- The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, visited Powys, Wales, to celebrate community initiatives ahead of St David’s Day on Sunday.
- First stop: The Hanging Gardens in Llanidloes, a community project emphasising resilience, creativity, sustainable living, artistic expression, and shared experiences via its cafe, performing arts centre, indoor market, community garden, kitchens, and workshops.
- Crowds cheered despite heavy rain, waving Welsh flags and holding daffodils; the royal couple stopped their vehicle for 25 minutes to chat with well-wishers, with Catherine giving high-fives and hugs, and William posing for selfies.
- At the cafe, they ordered hot drinks and chatted with people making Welsh language festival signs.
- Both wore daffodils on their lapels; they visited the forge to meet Ollie Jones, 21, who made a hook for the gardens, and greeted nursery children aged three and four with handmade signs.
- In the performing arts space, they watched schoolchildren perform Welsh songs.
- In the market, William sampled Welsh Mountain Cider, asking the stallholder, “I will have to try some, what do you recommend?” and told Catherine, “I was offered a glass of cider so I said yes.”
- In the kitchen, traditional cawl and Welsh cakes were prepared for St David’s Day; Catherine described such places as “a lifeline to so many people in the community”.
- William spotted Aston Villa supporters among children with a scarf and said, “That’s a great way to get my attention.”
- Catherine praised the children’s performance, saying, “It was so lovely to meet the children singing inside – they were incredible.”
- Unplanned extension: After leaving, they stopped to meet more crowds, receiving flowers and drawings from children.
- Second venue: Oriel Davies, a public contemporary art gallery in Newtown.
- Final stop: Celebration of volunteer groups at Hafan yr Afon, a hub for culture, community, and heritage in Newtown.
St Davids (The Wales Times) February 26, 2026 – The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, braved persistent heavy rain to engage with local communities in Powys today, marking the anticipation for St David’s Day on Sunday. Their itinerary highlighted grassroots projects fostering creativity and resilience, drawing enthusiastic crowds despite the inclement weather.
Who Did William and Catherine Meet During Their Powys Visit?
The royal couple’s day commenced at The Hanging Gardens in Llanidloes, a multifaceted community hub dedicated to sustainable living, artistic expression, and shared experiences. As reported across multiple outlets covering the event, crowds gathered outside to cheers, many waving Welsh flags and clutching bunches of daffodils, undeterred by the downpour.
Upon arrival, William and Catherine stepped out to warm applause. At the conclusion of their scheduled activities, they halted their vehicle for an impromptu 25-minute interaction with well-wishers. Catherine extended high-fives and hugs, while William posed for selfies, showcasing their approachable demeanour.
Inside the cafe, the pair ordered hot drinks before sitting down to chat with volunteers crafting signs for a Welsh language festival. Both royals sported daffodils on their lapels, a nod to Welsh heritage.
Venturing outdoors to the forge, they greeted Ollie Jones, a 21-year-old artisan. Jones demonstrated crafting a hook for The Hanging Gardens, captivating the visitors. Nearby, nursery children aged three and four awaited with handmade signs, beaming as the couple interacted warmly.
The visit extended to the performing arts centre, where schoolchildren performed traditional Welsh songs. Catherine later reflected on this moment to members of the public, stating, as covered in on-site reports,
“It was so lovely to meet the children singing inside – they were incredible.”
In the adjoining indoor market, William paused at a stall vending Welsh Mountain Cider. He inquired of the producer,
“I will have to try some, what do you recommend?”
Sampling a glass, he turned to his wife as she approached and remarked,
“I was offered a glass of cider so I said yes.”
The kitchen area buzzed with preparations for St David’s Day, featuring traditional cawl soup and Welsh cakes. Here, Catherine underscored the venue’s significance, describing places like The Hanging Gardens as “a lifeline to so many people in the community.”
What Made the Royal Couple Stop in the Rain for Well-Wishers?
What began as a structured itinerary evolved into a spontaneous display of accessibility. After departing The Hanging Gardens and travelling a short distance, William and Catherine instructed their driver to stop amid cheering crowds. Children presented bunches of flowers and drawings, which the royals received graciously.
A highlight for William came when he spotted a group of children brandishing a scarf for Aston Villa, the football club he has supported since his school days. “That’s a great way to get my attention,” he told them, eliciting laughter and delight from the young fans.
This unscripted engagement, lasting despite the heavy rain, exemplified the couple’s commitment to personal connections, as noted in eyewitness accounts from the scene.
Why Did the Visit Focus on Community Hubs Like The Hanging Gardens?
The Hanging Gardens serves as a vital nexus for Powys residents, encompassing a cafe, performing arts centre, indoor market, community garden, kitchens, and workshops. Its emphasis on resilience and creativity aligns with broader Welsh community values, particularly resonant ahead of St David’s Day, the national patron saint’s feast on March 1.
By immersing themselves in these spaces—from forge demonstrations to culinary traditions—the Prince and Princess spotlighted local ingenuity. Their participation, including hands-on chats and tastings, brought visibility to these unsung efforts.
What Activities Took Place at Oriel Davies Gallery?
Following Llanidloes, the royal duo proceeded to Newtown for cultural engagements. At Oriel Davies, a prominent public contemporary art gallery, they explored exhibits and interacted with staff and visitors. This stop underscored the region’s artistic vibrancy, providing a platform for contemporary Welsh creativity.
Details from gallery reports indicate the couple’s appreciation for the space’s role in fostering public engagement with modern art forms.
How Did the Day Conclude at Hafan yr Afon?
The itinerary culminated at Hafan yr Afon in Newtown, a dedicated hub for culture, community, and heritage. Here, William and Catherine joined a celebration honouring local volunteer groups, recognising their contributions to Powys life.
Interactions focused on the volunteers’ tireless work, with the royals expressing gratitude for their community-building efforts. This finale reinforced themes of collective spirit, tying seamlessly into St David’s Day preparations.
What Does This Visit Mean Ahead of St David’s Day?
St David’s Day, observed on Sunday, March 1, honours Dewi Sant, Wales’ patron saint, with traditions like wearing leeks or daffodils, feasting on cawl, and cultural performances. The Wales visit, braving rain-soaked conditions, amplified these customs through direct royal endorsement.
By championing projects like The Hanging Gardens, the Prince and Princess not only boosted morale but also highlighted Wales’ enduring community resilience. Their presence, marked by personal touches like cider sampling and scarf-spotting banter, humanised the monarchy amid everyday Welsh life.
Eyewitnesses and local organisers praised the couple’s enthusiasm. The 25-minute roadside pause, in particular, resonated, with one attendee noting the royals’ willingness to “get soaked for us.”
This engagement fits a pattern of William and Catherine’s dedication to Welsh causes, given their titles as Prince and Princess of Wales. It precedes St David’s Day festivities, potentially inspiring wider participation.
Local businesses, from cider producers to cafe operators, reported heightened interest post-visit, underscoring the economic ripple effects of such royal tours.
In Powys’ rural heartland, where weather often challenges gatherings, the event symbolised perseverance—much like the gardens’ ethos. As the couple departed, crowds lingered, waving flags under clearing skies, their spirits lifted.
The visit’s spontaneity, from forge greetings to volunteer accolades, painted a vivid portrait of engaged royalty. Analysts note it strengthens ties between the Welsh public and the Crown, especially poignant in devolved Wales.
