Prince and Princess of Wales visit Pontypridd after flooding

The Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrived in Pontypridd to mark St David’s Day and learn how the community is coping following recent devastating flooding.

Prince William and Catherine were greeted by cheering crowds when they arrived at the town’s indoor market where they began their visit by meeting stallholders.

The princess has made a gradual return to public duties since completing chemotherapy last summer.

The visit to Rhondda Cynon Taf, delayed by almost an hour due to train disruptions, marks the couple’s first visit to Wales together since Catherine announced last March she had begun cancer treatment, following the King’s own cancer diagnosis.

Storm Bert hit in late November and caused serious damage when the River Taff burst its banks and brought widespread flooding to Pontypridd, which had previously been badly hit by Storm Dennis in 2020.

A few weeks after Bert, Storm Darragh brought extremely high winds to the region.

On Wednesday Prince William and Catherine stopped at The Welsh Cake Shop in Pontypridd, a popular retailer in the town’s market that has been a focal point for shoppers and traders for generations.

The shop is owned by Theresa Conner, 46, and is well known for its Welsh cakes and bara brith.

Outside, hundreds of people lined the streets outside Pontypridd Market hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couple – passing the time singing Calon Lân.

Gavin Hailes, 41, brought his sons Ralphie, 12, and Joseph, 8, to try to meet the royal couple.

He said they arrived early to get to the front and then waited through hail and rain before the sun came out as the prince and princess arrived.

Mr Hailes said the flood did not affect them personally but said it was “horrific” and “devastating” for Pontypridd which was hit twice by floods.

Lisa Maunder, 46, said she was “really proud to have them come to Pontypridd”.

“It lifts the spirits of everyone,” she said. “[Pontypridd] is a bit of a dying town so I think it’s a nice thing to have people come here, spend money and look after all the businesses.

Patricia Thomas said her grandson Harrison was able to give Catherine a sunflower as she walked past.

The princess asked him how to grow them, to which he responded “you plant them”.