The Prince and Princess of Wales donned aprons at the Welsh Cake Shop in Pontypridd Market today and got the chance to bake some of the treats – with William crediting a TV cook with this cooking skills

Prince William joked how he had been taking secret tips from baking queen Mary Berry as he cooked Welsh Cakes with Kate.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were given cheers as they arrived in Pontypridd Market before donning aprons at the aptly named Welsh Cake Shop. The royal couple were in Wales today to speak to locals about how they are coping after devastating floods wrecked the area last December

William and Kate joined forces for a royal walkabout in the town and then took the chance to bake the treats before handing out their successful efforts to market traders and customers. Madison Conner, 19, said: “They were perfect, they were great, they were banging.”

William and Kate make Welsh Cakes in Pontypridd today ( 
Image:
AP)
The royals also first chatted to butcher Kevin Kidner, 61, of KMG Poultry, before posing for selfies and talking flowers from children and customers waiting to greet the couple. Arriving at The Welsh Cake Shop, Wills asked: “How dirty can you be? Flour everywhere?”

They were each given a mixture and handed a rolling pin and a demonstration by owner Theresa Conner. Once the mixture was flat they each cut 12 circles and placed them in a pile. Kate looked impressed at William’s efforts and said: “Those are so good. How did you do that?”

William joked: “Well I don’t know, my stunning bakery skills, Mary Berry taught me everything I need to know.”

William credited Mary Berry for his baking skills ( 
Image:
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
The cakes were cooked for five minutes on each side and Kate and William went to Fountain Cafe to speak to local business owners who had been devastated by Storm Darragh. The prince then carried the entire tray to hand out to well-wishers including Kerry Williams, 64, who was wearing an Aston Villa shirt. William was heard saying: “Welsh Cakes made by us.” The whole tray was snapped up by locals.

Theresa Conner, 46, owner of The Welsh Cake Shop, said afterwards: “They were very good. I asked and they said they had never made Welsh Cakes before

They were surprisingly very good and both good bakers. I gave them a quick demonstration and they took to it like ducks to water. I should have taken the opportunity to get them in for St David’s Day. I can do with all the help I can get.

All the Welsh Cakes were taken away by the royals or handed out to people in the market. Theresa added: “Maybe we could have framed one.” She said: “It’s a real privilege they came to visit us. It’s massive.” Palace staff bought ninety Welsh Cakes to take away for lunch. The shop sells ten for £4.

Kate greets the crowds in Pontypridd ( 
Image:
Ian Vogler / Daily MirrorIt was the couple’s first major ‘away day’ of the year for Kate’s “gradual” return to duty which will see her up and down the country – an their first joint trip to Wales since October 2023.

Outside they were greeted by hundreds of well-wishers who downed out the noise of a very small protest including one who shouted ‘Free Gaza’. Apphia Stokes, 9, and younger sister Freya, 4, handed Kate some daffodils. Their grandmother Lynn Sebury, 64, said: “They were lovely. We asked for a photo and they said yes. They got a good Welsh welcome.”