Kate Middleton joins Prince William on a visit to Wales 

Kate Middleton delighted a young Welsh mother and toddler today as she accepted a bunch of daffodils during a joint visit with Prince William to South Wales. 

Ahead of St. David’s Day, the Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting the country to meet with local communities as well as champion mental health initiatives.

The couple began their busy day of engagements by visiting Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, near the town of Pontyclun, where a therapy garden is currently being developed.

The royal mother-of-three appeared in high spirits as she arrived donning a smart white polo neck and a cream coat, with a patterned houndstooth £20 Zara skirt. 

Two-year-old Cora Phillips gave the Princess a bunch of daffodils as the couple left with the centre, with her mother Michelle, from Llanharan, saying: ‘Oh my goodness, I did not expect that in a million years.’

Kate Middleton delighted a young Welsh mother and toddler today as she accepted a bunch of daffodils during a joint visit with Prince William to South Wales 

Ahead of St. David's Day, the Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting the country to meet with local communities as well as champion mental health initiatives

Ahead of St. David’s Day, the Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting the country to meet with local communities as well as champion mental health initiatives

The first engagement of the day saw the couple visiting a site at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre where a therapy garden will be built

The first engagement of the day saw the couple visiting a site  at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre where a therapy garden will be built  

Turning to her daughter, she said: ‘We just met a princess. We’re never going to forget that.’

Ms Phillips said they live nearby and had bought daffodils ahead of St David’s Day on March 1.

Kate, who is known for her love of high street brands, regularly wears pieces from Zara, and mixes affordable labels with designer pieces. 

The Princess has long been a fan of the high street brand Zara, and often steps out in pieces from the Spanish retailer for royal events. 

The houndstooth print is one of the royal’s favourites, and she regularly opts for different pieces featuring the pattern.

The choice to wear the bold print by the usually demure duchess could also be seen as a nod to Princess Diana.

On today’s occasion, Kate wore glamorous make-up with a pink lipstick and a dark smoky eye, and swept her hair behind her shoulders for the occasion.

The first engagement of the day saw Kate and William hear first-hand about the work the centre does to support those struggling with the effects of drug and alcohol addiction. 

Arriving at the centre they were greeted by Sue Gwyn, executive director, manager Grace Sansom and the Welsh Government’s minister for mental health and wellbeing Lynne Neagle. 

During the visit, the couple chatted with clients and their families to learn about how the current garden facilities and the outdoors are used as part of their therapy.

The couple also saw the plans for new therapy allotments and a garden which are being created thanks to the support given to social enterprise Life at No.27 by The Royal Foundation as part of its ‘community impact’ pilots. 

Over time, Life at No.27 intend to create six therapy allotments and gardens across South Wales that will deliver mental health support to local communities. 

Kate was beaming as she was given some ‘sweet William’ seeds to plant during the visit, sharing a laugh with one of the members of staff.  

Kate, who is known for her love of high street brands, regularly wears pieces from Zara, and mixes affordable labels with designer pieces

Kate, who is known for her love of high street brands, regularly wears pieces from Zara, and mixes affordable labels with designer pieces

Kate, who is known for her love of high street brands, regularly wears pieces from Zara, and mixes affordable labels with designer pieces

Prince William was quick to greet locals at the leisure centre in Port Talbot this morning, where the couple were beaming with joy

Prince William was quick to greet locals at the leisure centre in Port Talbot this morning, where the couple were beaming with joy 

The royal mother-of-three appeared in high spirits as she arrived earlier this morning, donning a smart white polo neck and a cream coat, with a patterned houndstooth Zara skirt

The royal mother-of-three appeared in high spirits as she arrived earlier this morning, donning a smart white polo neck and a cream coat, with a patterned houndstooth Zara skirt

The royal mother-of-three appeared in high spirits as she arrived earlier this morning, donning a smart white polo neck and a cream coat, with a patterned houndstooth Zara skirt

The royal mother-of-three swept her hair behind her ear to reveal a set of pearl drop earrings as she arrived at the leisure centre

The royal mother-of-three swept her hair behind her ear to reveal a set of pearl drop earrings as she arrived at the leisure centre 

On today's occasion, Kate wore glamorous make-up with a pink lipstick and a dark smoky eye, and swept her hair behind her shoulders for the occasion

On today's occasion, Kate wore glamorous make-up with a pink lipstick and a dark smoky eye, and swept her hair behind her shoulders for the occasion

On today’s occasion, Kate wore glamorous make-up with a pink lipstick and a dark smoky eye, and swept her hair behind her shoulders for the occasion

Near the site’s current garden, William spoke to recovery manager Claire Holloway, and trustees Marc Penny and Dai McBride.

They were also greeted by a therapy dog, seven-year-old Great Dane, Ragnar.

Stroking Ragnar, William commented on the dog’s ‘big ears’, while Kate said: ‘He must be very popular.’

During the visit, William, who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, was asked several times about the rugby union match they attended on Saturday.

Asked if he enjoyed the game, the Prince of Wales joked: ‘Not really.’

He later told volunteers: ‘I’ve had non-stop grief about it all weekend.’

The second engagement of the day saw the couple visit Aberavon Leisure & Fitness Centre to meet local communities and hear about how sport and exercise can support mental health and wellbeing. 

At the centre, the couple will tour the facilities including a large indoor sports hall where young people and Welsh professional athletes including Harrison Walsh and Hannah Brier will be taking part in an athletics and gymnastics session. 

Upon leaving the centre the couple will spend some time meeting members of the public gathered outside. 

The final engagement of the day will see the couple visit the headquarters of the Wales Air Ambulance. 

During the visit, the couple will meet emergency workers, volunteers and supporters and will hear about their recent operations across Wales.

Kate was beaming as she was given some 'sweet William' seeds to plant during the visit, sharing a laugh with one of the members of staff

Kate was beaming as she was given some ‘sweet William’ seeds to plant during the visit, sharing a laugh with one of the members of staff

She could be seen generously sprinkling the seeds onto a patch of soil for staff members to plant in the therapy garden

She could be seen generously sprinkling the seeds onto a patch of soil for staff members to plant in the therapy garden 

Meanwhile royal mother-of-three leaned over to speak with two-year-old Cora during the visit earlier

Meanwhile royal mother-of-three leaned over to speak with two-year-old Cora during the visit earlier 

Both Kate and Will shook hands with local people who had benefited from the Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, as well as speaking to their families

Both Kate and Will shook hands with local people who had benefited from the Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, as well as speaking to their families

Both Kate and Will shook hands with local people who had benefited from the Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, as well as speaking to their families 

The Prince and Princess of Wales were in high spirits during their visit today, both donning a daffodil ahead of St David's Day

The Prince and Princess of Wales were in high spirits during their visit today, both donning a daffodil ahead of St David’s Day 

Meanwhile the royal mother-of-three joked that one rather large dog must be particularly popular during her visit to the centre today

Meanwhile the royal mother-of-three joked that one rather large dog must be particularly popular during her visit to the centre today

Meanwhile the royal mother-of-three joked that one rather large dog must be particularly popular during her visit to the centre today 

During the visit today, the couple could be seen petting a therapy dog at the centre in South Wales

During the visit today, the couple could be seen petting a therapy dog at the centre in South Wales 

The couple met with staff and local families to hear about the work they do to support those struggling with the effects of drug and alcohol addiction

The couple met with staff and local families to hear about the work they do to support those struggling with the effects of drug and alcohol addiction 

The first engagement of the day saw the couple visiting a site at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre where a therapy garden will be built

The first engagement of the day saw the couple visiting a site  at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre where a therapy garden will be built  

Kate was radiant in white as she joined Prince William on a visit to South Wales this morning for a busy day of engagements

Kate was radiant in white as she joined Prince William on a visit to South Wales this morning for a busy day of engagements 

During the busy day of engagements, William and Kate will visit the site where a therapy garden will be developed at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, near the town of Pontyclun, in Wales

During the busy day of engagements, William and Kate will visit the site where a therapy garden will be developed at Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, near the town of Pontyclun, in Wales 

The Prince and Princess will also have the opportunity during the engagement to speak to emergency workers about the importance of prioritising their own mental health. 

They will then officially open a new family room which has been designed by a bereaved family who lost their father in a tragic road accident. 

The room has been created as a safe space for families, nurses and volunteers and The Prince and Princess will sit down with the family who designed the room, along with the nurses and volunteers who have helped them since losing their father.

Mental health support for emergency responders has long been a passion for The Prince of Wales, who in 2021 announced the launch of the Blue Light Together package of mental health support at The Royal Foundation Emergency Services Mental Health Symposium.

The Prince of Wales has also previously served as both an Air Ambulance and an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot. 

The visit comes days after Kate cheered her team to victory while watching England’s Six Nations match alongside Wales supporter Prince William in Cardiff.

Kate, 41, patron of Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Rugby Football League (RFL), and Prince William, 40, who has been patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) since 2016, appeared in great spirits at the game.

But it was Kate who holds bragging rights after her team were victorious against their rivals, with England leading Wales 20-10 as the final siren rang out.

The famously competitive royal couple were in the stands at the Principality Stadium to cheer on their respective teams in their Six Nations tie.

In a message on Twitter translated to both English and Welsh earlier this afternoon, the couple said: ‘What a great half of rugby! Bring on the next 40 minutes.’