THE ANNOUNCMENT of the Prince and Princess of Wales’s visit to Pontypridd on February 26 has elicited varied responses from the community. The royal couple aims to engage with residents and business owners impacted by the severe flooding caused by Storm Bert and Storm Darragh in late 2024.
Their visit will commence at the historic Pontypridd Market, established in 1805, where they will meet local business owners and assist in preparing traditional Welsh cakes at The Welsh Cake Shop. Following this, they will proceed to the Meadow Street Community Garden and Woodland, a community space revitalized after the floods, to interact with volunteers and discuss the garden’s role in promoting well-being.
Local residents have expressed a range of opinions regarding the royal visit. Some view it as an opportunity to bring attention to the challenges faced by the community. A shop owner from Mill Street commented, “If they can bring attention to our struggles, that’s a good thing. We need all the help we can get.” Conversely, others question the tangible benefits of such visits. A resident displaced by the floods remarked, “We need real solutions, not royal photo ops.”
Kensington Palace says it wants the visit to highlight the resilience of the community and offer support to those affected by the flooding.
The Welsh Underground Network, a coalition of republicans and socialists, has announced plans to protest the visit. They challenge the legitimacy of the royal titles and express concerns over the monarchy’s role in Welsh society. In a statement, the group declared: “As Welsh people, we recognize no authority behind their name, last held by the Rebel Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndŵr. As republicans, we reject the rule of a king or queen over us. As socialists, we condemn the billionaire Windsor family, who hoard land and wealth while looking down on the working class who provide everything they own.”
The group further criticizes the visit as a public relations endeavor rather than genuine support. They argue that the resources of the Crown Estate could be utilized to invest in flood defenses and address child poverty in Wales. Their statement reads: “With the gold they hoard, we could invest in real flood defenses and secure the coal tips that threaten our communities whenever it rains. We say: nationalize the Crown Estate, reinvest the profits, and allow us to decide where the money goes. With those funds, we could end child poverty—nearly two in five children in Wales grow up in hardship.”
The title “Prince of Wales” has deep historical significance. Owain Glyndŵr, the last native Welsh person to hold the title, led a rebellion against English rule in the early 15th century. The current use of the title by the British monarchy continues to be a point of contention among Welsh nationalists and republicans.
The royal visit to Pontypridd highlights the ongoing dialogue between tradition and modernity in Wales.
While some community members welcome the attention and potential support the visit may bring, others, including activist groups like the Welsh Underground Network, view it as an opportunity to question and challenge longstanding institutions and advocate for systemic change.
