The Prince and Princess of Wales stopped their car and got out to greet wellwishers who had come out to see them in the wet weather in Wales today
18:52, 26 Feb 2026Updated 18:56, 26 Feb 2026
Prince William and Kate visit Powys ahead of St David’s Day
The Prince and Princess of Wales tore up their official schedule on a visit to Wales to greet hundreds of people who braved the rain to see them. William and Kate visited Powys for a string of engagements yesterday ahead of St David’s Day on Sunday.
They travelled to The Hanging Gardens, a community hub focused on resilience and creativity, in the mid-Wales town of Llanidloes, arriving to cheers from the crowds, many waving Welsh flags and holding daffodils. The couple ordered hot drinks at the cafe, with Kate having a cappuccino and William a cup of tea, before sitting down for a chat with people making festival signs in the Welsh language.
READ MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan comfort cancer patients and their families on emotional visitREAD MORE: Kate Middleton beams as she gazes at William on special trip to mark poignant day
The Prince and Princess of Wales in Powys today (Image: Getty Images)
They also met producers in the adjoining market – with William sampling a glass of cider – before going into the kitchen, where traditional Welsh stew cawl and Welsh cakes were being made ahead of St David’s Day on Sunday.
William stopped at a stall selling Welsh Mountain Cider and said: “I will have to try some, what do you recommend?” As his wife approached, he told her: “I was offered a glass of cider so I said yes.”
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This was due to be the end of their visit but after getting into their vehicle to drive to a second visit in Newtown, William and Kate stopped their car and stepped out to meet cheering crowds who had gathered.
They played rock, paper, scissors with school children, posed for selfies with teenagers, and received warm words from those who said they had wanted to show their support for the Royal family. William and Kate then headed to Oriel Davies – a public contemporary art gallery in Newtown.
Hundreds turned out to catch a glimpse of the royals (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
They viewed the Hand in Hand art project, a community scheme co-produced by the gallery and Syrian and Afghan families living in Newtown and the surrounding areas.
Kate told the families, “It’s amazing, what’s happening here. It must be such a lovely way to make friends and share stories.” She was also given a necklace made by children at an art workshop, with her holding her hair out of their way while one you girl fastened the accessory around her neck.
Afterwards, the couple spoke to volunteer groups at Hafan yr Afon, a hub for culture, community and heritage in Newtown, where Kate spent time with members of Mums Matter, a service for women who are experiencing mental health problems linked to early motherhood.
Mum Ella Hopkins, 25, told the princess how she started volunteering with the service after fleeing domestic violence with her 10-month-old son, Marcus.
Kate receives a necklace from a little girl at the Oriel Davies art gallery(Image: PA)
She said: “The princess was absolutely incredible, you could tell she was really passionate about the cause as well. She got really invested, she was asking lots of questions, you could tell she thought it was an important thing to be focusing on.
“She definitely said that it’s something that she said felt passionate about, parents being able to be committed and devoted through their own stability.”
After, as the couple greeted well-wishers outside, Jill Christofides, 65, told William: “The monarchy is safe in your hands.” She later said: “With all that is going on at the moment, there could be a swell against. But I think when you see the time that he’s willing to spend with the people, I think it’s lovely to see.”
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