The future King has been learning the language ‘phonetically’ by using phone learning app Duolingo

Prince William has delivered a St David’s Day message in fluent Welsh.

The Prince of Wales pre-recorded the social media video to mark March 1, the day Wales’s patron saint is honoured, and “to celebrate Wales – its history, its culture, and its incredible people”. The royal, 42, has been learning the language by using phone learning app Duolingo, but this is the first time he has been heard speaking more than a few words.

In his new message, 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.”

It is the first time William has been heard speaking more than a few words in Welsh ( 
Image:
PA)

William’s words in Welsh follow a visit to Wales with wife Kate on Wednesday, when the couple toured Pontypridd and cooked Welsh cakes for a market stall holder. William revealed in September 2022 that he was trying to learn the Welsh language, after being named Prince of Wales following the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

William and wife Kate, 43, inherited the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales, having previously been the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. In 2024,

William revealed he was using popular language app Duolingo to help him learn Welsh. On a visit to Llanelli for a Welsh language youth festival, he said he had the language learning app, Duolingo, downloaded and that he was trying to learn Welsh “phonetically”.

Since taking over the title, William has made it clear he wants immerse himself in learning more about the culture and language. In July, it was announced he and Kate are looking for a new Assistant Private Secretary, based in London, but who can ideally speak fluent Welsh.

William and Kate during a visit to Pontypridd, Wales, earlier this week ( 
Image:
PA

It concluded: “Conversational Welsh is essential, and fluent Welsh, both written and spoken, is desirable.

William’s father King Charles, 73, learned Welsh after taking over the title of the Prince of Wales more than 64 years ago. The King had formal lessons in the Welsh language, studying from April to June 1969 at Aberystwyth University ahead of his investiture as the Prince of Wales in July that year at Caernarfon Castle.

Charles’s tutor was the Welsh nationalist Tedi Millward but despite their apparent differences the two men became firm friends. William has not had an investiture since his father announced he had created his eldest son and heir as Prince of Wales during his first televised address as monarch, the day after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.