I had heard that the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, were to visit our town on 26th February, ahead of St David’s Day. This was possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity to see our future King and Queen! I had heard that they were scheduled to visit the market at 11:30am to make Welsh cakes and talk with some local residents and business owners who had been affected by the flooding in 2020 and last November 2024. Ironically, their train was delayed because of flooding on the line. The royal train arrived at Cardiff Central Station at around 1pm and then they travelled up the A470 via escorted vehicles.
I had a plan! I would arrive behind the barrier on Market Street at around 11am, opposite the door where the Royal couple were to exit the market. When they were slowly making their way down the street, talking to well-wishers, I would call out from the crowd, “God bless you Your Royal Highness!” I’d played the scene over in my mind many times during the previous 24 hours.
So, I trotted down the hill and arrived at Market Street just before 11am. There was already quite a crowd behind the barrier. I squeezed in just a little way down from the exit, opposite the Blueberry Hotel, almost opposite where the Royal couple were to exit the market. I spotted a friend, Heather, in the crowd just a little way down from me and she said that the Royal couple had been delayed and now weren’t expected until 1pm. I had told my husband that I would be home by 12:30pm but I thought, oh well, I’m here now, I’m not going to miss this opportunity.
I had a little chat with a young, Ukranian couple who were standing by me in the crowd. Then quite soon, I somehow found myself right up at the barrier! From my spot, I couldn’t see the market entrance, but I knew that within seconds of the Royal Couple coming through the doors and approaching the excited well-wishers, I would have a clear view of them. The press and TV cameras were already in place, as was the (I assume) Royal security team. The royal sniffer dogs seemed very excited and happy in their work! I got chatting to the lady standing beside me, Vicki. She told me how her father’s business on Taff Street had been affected by the floods in 2020 and 2024. The weather today was very changeable – one minute bright and sunny, the next icy rain or hailstones.
As time went on, I was increasingly wishing that I hadn’t drunk so much tea in the morning, but there was no way I was going to go for a pee and miss this opportunity. At around 1:20pm, the royal Landrovers and escort motorbikes passed in front of us and stopped at the other end of Market Street where the Royal Couple would end their (what’s the proper term?) meet and greet. This meant that they were in the market! (The couple entered the market through the Church Street entrance).
We were watching updates on Wales Online and tracking the couple’s activity in the market. While we were waiting, a few children standing beside me, started up a chorus of Calon Lan, and we joined in. It was immediately following this that the first photo of me appeared in the media (on Wales online).
At just after 2pm, there was increasing activity from the media and those standing immediately opposite the entrance started cheering; the Royals had exited the market! The Royal Couple firstly chatted with some older ladies who had been waiting since before 10 o’clock. Prince William then had a little chat with the Ukranian couple. He asked them how they were doing and if they were being looked after. He asked how their children were coping in school learning Welsh as well as English. He seemed genuinely interested. The prince even had a selfie with a man and his two children! Next, Prince William was chatting with Vicki beside me on my left, who told him about how her father’s business was affected by the floods. Up to this point, I had been taking lots of photos of the Royal Couple but now they were too close, and it felt disrespectful, so I stopped.
I hadn’t expected the Prince and Princess of Wales to actually speak to me, so I was calmly anticipating just shaking their hands and getting in a quick, “God bless you.” Nevertheless, the Prince took my hand and I looked him in the eyes and said, “God bless you, your Royal Highness.” Then he asked me if I was local, to which I replied, “Yes, just up the hill (pointing in the direction).” Then he asked me how I was doing, which left me a bit flustered. I just exclaimed, “I’m amazing!” I think what I really meant was, “This is an amazing, once in a lifetime experience for me and I feel so honoured that our future King is chatting with me.”
After the Prince had moved on to the next well-wisher, Princess Kate then took my hand. I can’t even remember what she said to me because I was so taken aback by how beautiful she is. I got straight in with my, “God bless you”. Then I said, “You’re so beautiful, so much more beautiful in real life!” She replied, “Oh no, not at all”. Then I fumbled over my words and said, “Good luck”, which isn’t really what I meant, but she thanked me anyway. I think what I really meant was, “Here you are in Pontypridd, your first visit to Wales since your cancer treatment. Thank you for being so open about your cancer journey and giving others hope and courage.”
As soon as the Princess had moved onto the next well-wisher, I hot-footed it to the loo in the park and then up the hill to home. On my way up the hill, I dictated some notes onto my phone so that I wouldn’t forget any of the details of my royal encounter.
After their visit to the market, the Royal couple went on to Meadow Street Community Garden, which is immediately adjacent to the allotments where we have our plot. I think they are such a lovely couple and are real, genuine people. I believe that they are making the Royal Family relevant for the 21st century. As a result of my encounter, I also became a minor celebrity amongst my friends, appearing on BBC Wales news, ITV Wales news, Wales Online, Mail Online, and (apparently) TikTok (but I wouldn’t know how to view that!) It was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget and I dare say that I will retell many times over.
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