Prince William and Kate Middleton make first joint engagement in Wales for more than a year

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 skirt and black boots, while carrying a brown handbag.

The mother-of-three appeared to go without her engagement ring, instead sporting an 'eternity band' set with diamonds and sapphires. 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 sees 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. Their first public engagement sees 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.

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

Kate beamed as she enjoyed Pontypridd Market in Wales - with her husband Prince William - this afternoon. William was dapper in a blue shirt and cardigan, as he joined his wife for the joint engagement today. 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 will tour the food hall during which they will visit 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.

They will then stop 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 will visit 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. The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived in Cardiff for a day of engagements in Wales ahead of St David's Day on March 1.

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, opted for a longline red coat, layered over a checked skirt and black boots, while carrying a brown handbag.

The couple will tour the food hall during which they will visit The Welsh Cake Shop which has been serving the local population for more than 25 years. Pictured: An excited wellwisher sporting Welsh pride, looking very excited to meet the Prince and Princess.

Pictured, a delighted royal wellwisher awaits for the Prince and Princess of Wales' arrival this morning. 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.