The Prince of Wales faced criticism over his Welsh pronunciation just
hours before a major royal event, prompting fresh scrutiny of his role.
Prince William received backlash after releasing a video message in Welsh to
mark St David’s Day. Language experts, including Dr Dylan Foster Evans, Head
of the School of Welsh at Cardiff University, highlighted errors in his
pronunciation and suggested he needs more practice to speak the language
fluently.
Dr Foster Evans noted that William has held the Prince of Wales title for some
time, adding, “People might expect him to do more than read a few seconds from
an autocue, especially given Welsh’s official status in Wales since 2011.”
In his message, released by Kensington Palace on March 1, William praised
Wales’ history, culture, and people, stating, “From its breathtaking
landscapes to its language, Wales continues to inspire.”
The controversy surfaced ahead of William’s solo visit to the Royal Berkshire
Hospital, marking another challenge in his royal duties.
