The Princess of Wales praised Prince William as ‘amazing’ during their first joint engagement in Wales for more than a year on Wednesday.
Kate, 43, was greeting crowds at Pontypridd Market ahead of the nation’s annual celebration of St David’s Day when she made the sweet comment.
Thought to be speaking to an elderly gentleman who was waiting in the rain to meet the Princess, the mother-of-three replied: ‘He’s been amazing’ when the man appeared to mention the Prince of Wales.
She continued: ‘We’ve felt the support from everyone, so it’s meant a lot.’ Kate announced last month that she was in ‘remission’ following her cancer battle.
In November, William, 42, said it had been the ‘hardest year in my life’ following his wife and father King Charles‘ cancer diagnoses.
But the heir to the throne appeared lighter as he chatted to crowds who had braved the rainy weather in the hope of catching a glimpse of the royal couple.
Speaking to one royal fan who had apparently seen the Prince before, William revealed that he’s ‘still as cheeky as ever’, as he reflected about how their apparent paths crossing was a ‘few years ago’.
The Prince and Princess’ visit was the couple’s first to Wales since Kate announced last March she had begun cancer treatment, a development which followed His Majesty’s diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales praised Prince William as ‘amazing’ during their first joint engagement in Wales for more than a year on Wednesday
During their visit ahead of St David’s Day on March 1, Kate and William visited Pontypridd Market to meet local business owners and try their hand at making one of the country’s most celebrated exports – Welsh cakes.
This is a delicious traditional sweet treat using flour, sugar, spices, butter, eggs and dried fruit which is then cooked in a pan and dusted with sugar.
Looking effortlessly elegant for the engagement, Kate rewore a chic scarlet Alexander McQueen coat – the same she had sported for her Together at Christmas carol service – layered over a checked Gucci skirt and black boots.
She appeared to go without her engagement ring, instead sporting an ‘eternity band’ set with diamonds and sapphires.
To further accessorise, she wore garnet charm hoops from Spells of Love and carried a Mulberry’s Bayswater tote – in the shade Oak.
She styled her thick brunette locks in loose curls hanging down her shoulders. Meanwhile, William opted for dark trousers and a smart jacket.
Pontypridd Market has been at the heart of the South Wales community since 1805 and is home to businesses selling everything from meat to fruit and vegetable, toys, books and textiles and boasts several cafes.
The couple toured the food hall, and visited The Welsh Cake Shop which has been serving the local population for more than 25 years.
Kate, 43, was greeting crowds at Pontypridd Market ahead of the nation’s annual celebration of St David’s Day when she made the sweet comment about William (pictured)
The Prince and Princess of Wales depart after a visit to Pontypridd Market in Wales to talk to local business owners about the impact of the flooding caused by Storm Bert and Storm Darragh
The Princess was on hand to speak with crowds of fans as she and William arrived in Wales
It is also well known for its Bara Brith, a traditional Welsh fruit bread, and delivers both this and Welsh cakes to locations across the UK.
The royal couple donned aprons and took the chance to bake the treats before handing out their successful efforts to market traders and customers.
Upon arrival, they first chatted to butcher Kevin Kidner, 61, of KMG Poultry, before posing for selfies and talking flowers from children and customers waiting to greet the couple.
Arriving at The Welsh Cake Shop, William asked: ‘How dirty can you be? Flour everywhere?’
They were each given a mixture and handed a rolling pin and a demonstration by owner Theresa Conner. Once the mixture was flat they each cut 12 circles and placed them in a pile.
Kate looked impressed at William’s efforts and said: ‘Those are so good. How did you do that?’
William joked: ‘Well I don’t know, my stunning bakery skills, Mary Berry taught me everything I need to know.’
The cakes were cooked for five minutes on each side and Kate and William went to Fountain Cafe to speak to local business owners who had been devastated by Storm Darragh.
Kate couldn’t hold back her glee as she laughed while meeting well-wishers in Wales
A beaming William and Kate during their visit to Pontypridd Market
William and Kate braved rainy weather as they chatted with people during their joint engagement
The couple were handed daffodils as they made their visit in time for St David’s Day this weekend
Kate leaned down to speak with children, who were holding out daffodils and Welsh flags
The Prince then carried the entire tray to hand out to well-wishers including Kerry Williams, 64, who was wearing an Aston Villa shirt.
William was heard saying: ‘Welsh Cakes made by us.’ The whole tray was snapped up by locals.
Theresa Conner, 46, owner of The Welsh Cake Shop, said afterwards: ‘They were very good. I asked and they said they had never made Welsh Cakes before.
‘They were surprisingly very good and both good bakers. I gave them a quick demonstration and they took to it like ducks to water.
‘I should have taken the opportunity to get them in for St David’s Day. I can do with all the help I can get.’
All the Welsh Cakes were taken away by the royals or handed out to people in the market.
Theresa added: ‘Maybe we could have framed one… It’s a real privilege they came to visit us. It’s massive.’
Palace staff bought ninety Welsh Cakes to take away for lunch – the shop sells ten for £4.
Kate Middleton prepares Welsh Cakes ahead of St David’s Day
The Prince and Princess of Wales pictured during a visit to Pontypridd Market where they met local business owners and had the opportunity to turn their hand to preparing Welsh cakes
Kate and William react as they make Welsh Cakes, watched by Theresa Connor, owner of The Welsh Cake Shop
Afterwards, William and Kate visited Meadow Street Community Garden and Woodland, which has been designed to create a safe and welcoming place where the local community can come together and enjoy the benefits of nature.
The project to create a community garden was established in January 2021, when work began to clear a site that was overgrown and full of debris from flooding.
Together with Pontypridd Town Council, volunteers rejuvenated the site which is now a vibrant garden and creative space.
As well as promoting the benefits of nature to wellbeing, the community garden works to build resilience within individuals and forge connections between people.
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There, the Princess of Wales promised to send her recipe for plum jam to young gardeners.
Kate heard how young volunteers at a community garden in Wales were growing their own plums and turning them into jam, and said: ‘I’ll send you my plum jam recipe so you can try it.’
She also revealed that she is learning to forage in Norfolk, with her three children left impressed by a ‘huge’ puffball mushroom she had found near their home.
‘The children thought it was fascinating,’ she recounted.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were given a tour of the woodland walks and homegrown produce.
The garden, which was badly flooded in 2024 and has bounced back with the help of volunteers, is intended to be a welcoming place for the local community to enjoy nature.
It fits in with one of the Princess’s passion projects, encouraging people into the outdoors, with nature activities for children.
The couple laughed as they were shown ‘Bug-inham Palace’, an insect conservation area, and joined a group round a fire to make balms out of plants.
The garden overlooks the River Taff and the A470, with volunteers describing it as a haven in an otherwise urban community.
The Prince and Princess, who had changed into a brown jacket, long skirt, and high-heeled boots, both wore daffodils, celebrating their first joint away-day in Wales since the Princess’s cancer treatment.
