William pulls St David's Day pint with Wrexham owner

8 months ago 47
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Media caption,

Prince of Wales asked about his wife during a visit to Wrexham

By Dafydd Evans & Rob Thomas in Wrexham & Catherine Evans

BBC News

The Prince of Wales pulled a pint with Wrexham AFC's Hollywood owner Rob McElhenney to mark St David's Day.

Prince William visited the Turf pub, featured in the Welcome to Wrexham series and the Racecourse Ground, on Friday morning.

During the visit, he was asked about the condition of his wife, Catherine, but he did not respond.

At The Turf pub, the Prince met local charity volunteers, pub regulars and landlord Wayne Jones.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption,

Prince William pulls a pint at The Turf pub in Wrexham with Rob McElhenney

He then walked from the pub into the Racecourse Ground next door, where he met Wrexham AFC players, Ben Tozer and Luke Young, who were training there.

The duo gave him a club shirt with "William" on the back.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption,

Prince William was gifted with a Wrexham club shirt with "William" on the back

The future King said Wrexham was every football fan's second club as he downed a shot of whiskey and pulled a pint in the supporters' home bar - and joked it needed time to settle.

"It's a great success story you're building here, everything you've started and achieved it's fantastic, so onwards and upwards - it's exciting," he said.

"And anyone who's a true football fan wants to see you do well."

Mr Jones described his latest brush with celebrity as "bizarre" after welcoming Prince William to his pub on Friday morning.

Image source, PA Media

Image caption,

Prince William shared a laugh with some of the locals as he visited Wrexham to mark St David's Day

"You honestly don't know who's going to turn up next," said Mr Jones, reflecting on the popularity the club has gained since being bought by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.

Mr Jones said the visit had allowed the Prince to meet representatives from several local charities supported by the community, such as the Nightingale House and Hope House hospices.

The Prince told him he was "rooting" for Wrexham as they push for a second straight promotion and a place in League One, he added.

He said he was grateful McElhenney had been in the pub to meet the Prince too, as he "was a little nervous", while McElhenney is "a natural at these things".

He said the royal visit "shines a good positive light on Wrexham".

Meanwhile, King Charles is to take on the role of Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Welsh regiment, in succession to the late Queen who held this role for 16 years.

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