Prince William St David’s Day 2025

Prince William’s Welsh Message

On March 1, 2025, Prince William shared a pre-recorded video on social media, delivering his first full message in Welsh to mark St David’s Day. 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!” This act underscores his efforts to learn Welsh, possibly using the Duolingo app, and reflects his role as Prince of Wales.

Recent Visit to Wales

Just days before, on February 26, 2025, William and Catherine visited Pontypridd, meeting locals affected by recent flooding and participating in community activities. They made Welsh cakes at the market, strengthening their connection with the Welsh community ahead of St David’s Day.

Significance of St David’s Day

St David’s Day, on March 1, celebrates St David, Wales’ patron saint, with traditions like wearing daffodils and leeks, eating cawl, and holding parades. It’s not a public holiday, but calls for it to be one persist, with events in cities like Cardiff and Aberystwyth.

Unexpected Detail: Modern Learning Method

It’s interesting that William seems to be learning Welsh through the Duolingo app, a modern approach that aligns with his role in a contemporary royal family, potentially appealing to younger audiences.

Survey Note: Prince William’s Welsh Tribute on St David’s Day 2025

Introduction

On March 1, 2025, St David’s Day, the feast day of Wales’ patron saint, St David, was marked by a significant gesture from Prince William, the Prince of Wales. He delivered his first full message in Welsh, a move that not only celebrated Welsh culture but also highlighted his commitment to learning and using the Welsh language. This article explores the event, its context, and its implications, drawing on recent activities and the broader significance of St David’s Day.

Background on St David’s Day

St David’s Day falls on March 1, commemorating the death of St David in 589 AD. St David, a 6th-century Welsh bishop, is celebrated for his teachings and the establishment of monastic communities, with St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire being a key site. Traditional festivities include wearing daffodils and leeks, symbols of Wales and St David respectively, eating traditional Welsh food like cawl (a hearty soup) and Welsh cakes, and women wearing traditional Welsh dress. Cities like Cardiff, Swansea, and Aberystwyth host parades, and schools organize cultural events, though the day is not a public holiday, prompting calls for it to be recognized as such (St David’s Day – Wikipedia).

Overseas, Welsh communities celebrate with events like eisteddfodau (cultural competitions) in places like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., reinforcing global Welsh identity (St. David’s Day 2025 in the United States). Historically, the feast has been celebrated since St David’s canonization in the 12th century, with increased national focus in the 18th century, though religious observance waned post-Reformation (Five facts about St David | Welsh Age of Saints | Visit Wales).

Prince William’s Welsh Message

On March 1, 2025, Prince William released a 34-second video on social media, speaking entirely in Welsh. His message, as reported by The Telegraph, was: “Hello. Today is St David’s Day, we come together to celebrate Wales – its history, culture, and 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.” Wearing a daffodil on his lapel, a traditional symbol for the day, he emphasized Wales’ cultural richness.

This was a notable first, as William has previously used some Welsh in community interactions but never delivered a full message. It’s understood he has been learning conversational Welsh, possibly via the Duolingo app, a modern method that aligns with his role in a contemporary royal family, potentially appealing to younger audiences (Prince William’s Duolingo message in Welsh for St David’s Day).

Recent Visit to Wales

Ahead of St David’s Day, on February 26, 2025, William and Catherine visited Pontypridd, South Wales, as part of their engagements. They met locals affected by flooding from Storm Bert and Storm Darragh in late 2024, and participated in community activities, including making Welsh cakes at Pontypridd Market, a community hub since 1805 (William and Kate greeted by large crowds on royal visit to Pontypridd – Wales Online). They arrived by train, surprising commuters, and engaged in baking, with William joking about selling the cakes at a discount, showcasing a personal touch (Kate Middleton and Prince William Shock Commuters as They Take the Train to Wales for Royal Outing).

This visit, their first joint trip to Wales since October 2023, highlighted their commitment to deepening ties with the Welsh community, especially significant given Catherine’s gradual return to public duties post-cancer treatment (Prince and Princess of Wales to Visit Pontypridd – South Wales Life).

The Welsh Language and Cultural Preservation

The Welsh language is central to Welsh identity, with the 2023 Annual Population Survey indicating 851,700 speakers, or 27.7% of the population, the lowest in eight years, underscoring preservation efforts (William’s Duolingo message in Welsh for St David’s Day). It’s taught in all Welsh schools up to age 16, and William’s public use of Welsh can inspire others to learn, reinforcing cultural heritage.

2025 St David’s Day Celebrations

This year, celebrations included parades in Cardiff and cultural festivals, with children wearing traditional costumes and communities organizing eisteddfodau. In St Davids, an outdoor market and dragon parade were planned, alongside a cawl competition, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain traditions (St David’s Day Celebrations 2025 | Future Inn Cardiff).

Conclusion and Implications

Prince William’s Welsh message on St David’s Day 2025 is a powerful symbol of unity and respect for Welsh heritage. It complements their recent community engagement in Pontypridd, reinforcing the royal family’s role in promoting Welsh culture. As Wales continues to celebrate its rich history, such actions highlight the importance of preserving language and traditions for future generations.

Key Citations

• Prince William speaks Welsh to mark St David’s Day
• St David’s Day: Prince William speaks Welsh praising Wales
• Prince William shocks royal fans as he delivers St David’s Day message entirely in Welsh
• St David’s Day – Wikipedia
• William, Prince of Wales – Wikipedia
• St David’s Day Celebrations 2025 | Future Inn Cardiff
• St Davids Day in St Davids (and how to join in!)
• St. David’s Day 2025 in the United States
• Prince of Wales Title Royal History
• William’s Duolingo message in Welsh for St David’s Day
• William and Kate greeted by large crowds on royal visit to Pontypridd – Wales Online
• Kate Middleton and Prince William Shock Commuters as They Take the Train to Wales for Royal Outing
• Prince and Princess of Wales to Visit Pontypridd – South Wales Life
• Five facts about St David | Welsh Age of Saints | Visit Wales

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