William and Kate have arrived on their first joint engagement in Wales for more than a year to mark the nation’s annual celebration of St David’s Day.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting Pontypridd ahead of official events to mark the country’s patron saint – and all things Welsh – on Saturday, March 1.

Arriving in the nation via train, the royal couple’s Instagram account teased Kate and William as they walked down the train platform.

Kate, 43, 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, while carrying a brown handbag. Later, she swapped her jacket over for a dark green blazer.

The mother-of-three appeared to go without her engagement ring, instead sporting an ‘eternity band’ set with diamonds and sapphires. To accessorise, she seemed to sport garnet charm hoops from Spells of Love and carried 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 jacket, and carried official-looking documents under his arm.

The couple’s last visit together was in October 2023, with other planned engagements cancelled because of Kate’s shock cancer diagnosis; although they have both visited separately in recent months.

Their first public engagement saw them visit 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 using flour, sugar, spices, butter, eggs and dried fruit which is then cooked in a pan and dusted with sugar.

The Princess is a particularly keen home baker, although William has previously admitted he is somewhat hopeless at it.

Pontypridd Market has been at the heart of the South Wales community since 1805 and is home to business 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.

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 couple then stopped at the Fountain Café to meet a group of business owners for a conversation about life in Pontypridd Market and its role within the local community.

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.

Pontypridd was one of a number of towns across Wales which was hit by severe flooding as a result of Storm Bert Storm Darragh in December last year, with large parts of the site were disrupted.

However volunteers worked quickly to restore it and the prince and princess will receive a tour of the site.

Pontypridd is an ex-mining town in the Rhondda Valley whose most famous celebrity export is the singer Tom Jones.

William and Kate, formerly the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were created Prince and Princess of Wales following King Charles’ accession to the throne.

At the time William pledged to serve the people of Wales with ‘humility and great respect’ and vowed to celebrate its ‘proud history and traditions as well as a future that is full of promise’.

The prince has also been making efforts to learn Welsh.

It comes as the heir to the throne has recorded a touching message for Rob Burrow’s widow to use as the forward in her new memoir after the rugby league legend’s tragic death.

Lindsey’s book ‘Take Care’ delves into her experience of caring for her late husband during his five year battle with motor neurone disease.

The rugby star- who passed away in the summer – was diagnosed with the debilitating disease in 2019, just two years after retiring from a 17-season league career.

Mother-of-three Lindsey was an unwavering presence at Burrow’s side following his diagnosis and constantly cared for him as his condition worsened over the years.

Appearing on BBC Breakfast, she spoke of the ‘sweet’ message from the Prince of Wales and praised his ‘kindness and compassion’.

In an audio recording, the prince said: ‘Despite the advanced nature of Rob’s condition, I was struck by the incredible strength, positivity and incredible resilience of Lindsey. 

‘Rob told me she is far tougher than any of the men he has played with or against over the years. 

‘I know I am not alone in feeling great admiration for how she has kept going in the face of adversity.

‘This book tells Lindsey’s story of perseverance and love. By sharing her story, she is shining a light on those who are dealing with incredibly difficult situations, putting other’s needs before their own and making great personal sacrifices every day. 

‘I hope this book provides those going through their own challenges with some comfort and optimism and that it inspires us all to look out for one another.’

The royal couple were among the first to led the tributes to Burrow following his tragic death in June.

William and Kate shared a touching message on X as they expressed their condolences to the athlete’s family.

The Prince of Wales wrote: ‘A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had a huge heart.

‘He taught us, ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream’. Catherine and I send our love to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy.’

Before his death, Prince William presented Burrow with a CBE for raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease in January.

The royal met with Burrow, Lindsey and their three children and told the sporting hero: ‘Thank you and congratulations – for all the inspirational work you’ve done, Rob. You’ve been amazing, you really have and everyone’s so proud of you.

‘We’ve all been following your case. You’ve changed so many people’s lives with MND with what you’ve done. We’re all so proud of you.

The royal also placed the CBE around his friend Kevin Sinfield’s neck and praised his ‘brotherly bond’ with Rob.

The rugby coach, 43, touched the country’s heart when he carried his friend over the finishing line of the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

‘The relationship between you two has been so amazing to watch,’ William continued. ‘An inspiration for everyone to kind of go like ‘this is how we help each other’.’

While touring the stadium, Burrow told the royal it was ‘an honour’ to meet him and revealed that his daughters have been practising their curtsies ahead of the meeting.

Lindsey told BBC Breakfast how grateful she is to the Prince for his support.

She said: ‘It’s quite sweet. The support we’ve had from the Prince of Wales has just been overwhelming. 

‘The kindness and the compassion and support that he’s given us as a family has just been incredible. I’m so full of admiration and so grateful to him. 

‘That day we got to meet him is a day we will remember and cherish forever. What struck me is in the forward of the book he said that Rob’s story gave him hope and strength which is ultimately why I wanted to do the book. 

‘It brings a huge smile to my face. If the book helps another person or another family that is going through a difficult time then it makes it all worthwhile.’