Prince William admits there's still 'long way to go' in Kate's cancer recovery as he steps out for first solo visit to Wales

Crowds had gathered outside Swiss Valley Community Primary School ahead of William's arrival, laden with cards and gifts to give to the Prince following the joyous news that his wife Kate has finished chemotherapy.

Sandra Peters, 79, clutched a letter she had written to Kate. She said: "I just wrote I'm so happy you're in recovery. I'm just a little old lady from Swiss Valley Park. I admire your bravery, your family is all so beautiful."

Barry Wilkins, 54, a removal man, put a giant statue of a dragon on his front lawn to welcome the Prince. "I'm just so glad Kate is getting well again, I'm happy for their family," he said. "William is our Prince of Wales so I wanted to show our support with the dragon."

William was met by a school representative as he pulled up at Swiss Valley Community Primary School. 

"Bore da," he said, which means "Good morning" in Welsh.

He was led into the school hall where dozens of pupils had assembled and were seated on the floor. 

They enthusiastically cheered and waved Welsh flags as he walked in, with William returning their waves.

William met pupils who had taken part in the 2024 Urdd Eisteddfod, a festival organised by the National Voluntary Youth Organisation that involves young people taking part in a range of activities, from art, music composition, drama and sport to dancing, singing and reciting.

The Prince was treated to performances by some of the pupils who had taken part in the festival, including ten-year-old Ruby Davies who won the individual reciting competition for Welsh learners.

Ruby presented the royal with friendships bracelets she had made for his children. "That's so sweet," he told her. "Did you put them together yourself? They're going to wear those, you'll see them out and about."

He added: "I'll keep them away from Louis because he'll try and steal all his sister's bits."

The Prince also told Ruby he had watched her video "several times", adding: "Charlotte loves her performing and dancing as well so I am going to show her your video when I get home."

Before leaving, William took part in a mini walkabout, where he met members of the local community. 

The father-of-three was particularly taken by one little girl who stood out in the crowd in a pink jacket.

William was presented with numerous cards for his wife, who has just completed her chemotherapy treatment.

"Thank you very much, very much appreciated," he told well wishers.

One local, Diane Griffiths, told him: "It was so good to see Catherine looking well, you have a beautiful family." William, who is learning Welsh on language app Duo Lingo, replied, "Diolch," meaning "Thank you."  

Speaking to one well-wisher, Pauline Thomas, 74, William admitted: "It's good news but there is still a long way to go."

In his wife Kate's video released the day before, the Princess, 42, said: "Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.  

"I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can."

The second engagement of his busy schedule took the Prince to the Wales Air Ambulance charity's headquarters, also in Llanelli. William is patron of the charity and was visiting to mark Air Ambulance Week.

The charity, which William last visited in 2023, was founded in 2001 and is on standby 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

The dedicated air ambulance crews travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care. 

The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia, and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care. This can mean hours saved for the patient and a greater chance of survival and early recovery.

During his visit, William, who worked as an air ambulance pilot for East Anglian Air Ambulance charity between 2015 and 2017, met with staff and crew members and heard about the charity's latest news and developments.

"I'd love to fly again, I could volunteer for a weekend to make a come back," he said.

William also consoled crew who attended a recent double fatal road traffic accident on Anglesey, and said that crew members' mental health was a priority.

"I made sure all the First Responders after Southport were getting any help they needed," he said, referencing the horrific July stabbing at a dance studio in which three children were killed.

"It's important you guys feel supported at the right moment. I have always felt that you should get some sort of break from the attritional role of what you are seeing every day."

His visit helped promote Air Ambulance Week, which is the only week dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the vital, lifesaving work of air ambulance charities, which collectively make over 45,000 lifesaving missions each year across the UK.

Through his work as an air ambulance pilot, William has seen first-hand the impact these first responders have upon the lives of patients with critical injuries.

His final engagement of the day took the Prince to Parc y Scarlets, the home of the Scarlets Rugby Union team. William, who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), met members of the current Wales female international team who have recently qualified for the 2025 World Cup.

The Prince was given a warm welcome as he entered the stadium for a presentation-giving ceremony.

He was given the honour of presenting caps and brooches for the WRU's "Missing Caps" campaign to former players who were historically missed when they played for Wales.

The campaign aims to track down female Welsh players who were 'capped' by the Wales Women's team during their games, from the first Women's International match in 1987 to the present day. Records from the era prior to the women's game being fully incorporated into the WRU are incomplete with many player names missing.

After handing out the brooches, William posed for a big group photo.

Since the campaign's launch in 2021, 50 women have been awarded their caps at ceremonies across Wales. 

The WRU believes that there are at least another 27 women who have played for Wales and who they are yet to find, who deserve their rightful place in Welsh rugby history.

The royal also gamely posed for selfies and more casual photos before leaving the stadium.