The Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrived in Pontypridd on Wednesday 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, delayed by almost an hour due to train disruptions, marks the couple’s first 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 – braving a hailstorm and passing the time singing Calon Lân.