Prince William spends a festive pint and serves pudding with the Welsh Guards at their Christmas party
Prince William, the Prince of Wales and colonel of the Welsh Guards, joined the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards for their Christmas gathering at Combermere Barracks in Windsor on Thursday. He not only mingled with the troops but also helped dish out dessert to the junior ranks, sharing a moment of camaraderie over a festive pudding.
William became Colonel of the Welsh Guards two years ago, succeeding his father, King Charles, when Charles became monarch. In a social media post, the prince expressed his pride in his role and in serving dessert to the regiment this year, thanking the soldiers and their families for their hard work and dedication.
Visiting the Welsh Guards has become an annual tradition for William, a relationship that traces back to his 2003 gap year when he journeyed with the unit through the jungles of Belize in Central America. He also met them last November during live-fire exercises on Salisbury Plain, where he toured the training ground and watched demonstrations, including small drones. A senior operator described William’s handling as “good,” noting that the future king could be trained further if needed.
Earlier, William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales—who now holds the role of Colonel of the Irish Guards—attended the regiment’s St David’s Day procession in March 2023. After speeches, the royal couple participated in the tradition of presenting handmade leeks to officers and soldiers to wear on their chests.
The 1st Battalion has featured prominently in ceremonial duties for years, including moments surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and King Charles III’s coronation in 2023. The regiment has also been the subject of several BBC documentary projects, such as Helmand: Tour of Duty, which won a BAFTA Cymru award in 2024.
Controversy and discussion prompts:
- Some observers question the visibility of royal involvement in military activities versus the purpose of modern ceremonial duties. Do you think royal participation enhances public support for the armed forces, or does it risk turning service into spectacle?
- Should princes and other royals maintain traditional roles in regiments, or should leadership positions be confined to career military professionals? Share your take in the comments.
