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William speaks Welsh amid St David's Day celebrations

Miriam Barker
BBC News
It is understood the prince has been learning some conversational Welsh

The Prince of Wales has used his first message delivered in Welsh to wish Wales a "Happy St David's Day".

Prince William pre-recorded a social media video to mark 1 March, the day Wales's patron saint is honoured and to "celebrate Wales – its history, culture and incredible people".

His words in Welsh follow a trip to Wales with his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, on Wednesday, when the couple visited Pontypridd.

Elsewhere, First Minister Eluned Morgan led celebrations in Wales at the annual Dragon Parade in St David's, Pembrokeshire.

While he is not having formal lessons, it is understood the prince has been learning some conversational Welsh, though is it unclear who is teaching him the language, or if he is attending classes.

In his message, he 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."

The ambassador ate a Welsh cake to celebrate St David's Day

William has been known to greet people with a few words of Welsh when in the country, but has not spoken fully in public before.

King Charles had formal lessons in the Welsh language, studying from April to June 1969 at Aberystwyth University, ahead of his investiture as the Prince of Wales in July that year at Caernarfon Castle.

The King's tutor was Welsh nationalist Tedi Millward, but despite their apparent differences the two men became firm friends.

William has not had an investiture since his father announced he had created his eldest son and heir as Prince of Wales during his first televised address as monarch, the day after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Welsh government Eluned Morgan smiles at the camera while holding a child. She is joined by the Mayor of St David's and members and children of the community. One child wears a yellow daffodil on their head. One woman is dressed red with a neon vest and has a red dragon on her back.Welsh government
The first minister Eluned Morgan led the Dragon Parade at St David's

Elsewhere, the first minister led the annual Dragon Parade in St David's, near to where the patron saint is though to have been born.

Organised by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the parade was one of number held across Wales to celebrate the patron saint.

Local school pupils and care in the community members - many dressed up as dragons or daffodils - took part as it marched through the UK's smallest city.