Prince William recently shared a video message in Welsh to mark St. David’s Day, sparking discussions about his fluency.
In the video, posted on Instagram, he greeted viewers in Welsh, celebrating the country’s history, culture, and people.
While many appreciated the gesture, others, including language experts, felt he should be more proficient by now.
A Professor’s Perspective
Dr. Dylan Foster Evans, head of the School of Welsh at Cardiff University, weighed in on the prince’s language skills.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he noted that while William made an effort, his Welsh abilities could be stronger.
“People say that he should be able to do a bit more than read for a few seconds from an autocue, especially since Welsh has been an official language in Wales since 2011,” Dr. Evans remarked.
He suggested that given William’s long-standing knowledge of his future role, more fluency should be expected.
A Different Learning Path
Unlike his father, King Charles, who studied Welsh at Aberystwyth University before his investiture in 1969, William has taken a more modern approach.
In 2024, he revealed that he was using the language-learning app Duolingo to improve his skills.
However, Dr. Evans pointed out that simply learning through an app might not be enough. “His pronunciation is a little faulty.
He gets most things right, but practice will do him a great deal of good,” he said, emphasizing that real-world conversations would enhance William’s proficiency.
The Public’s Reaction
The prince’s Welsh-speaking efforts have sparked a mix of opinions on social media.
Some felt he should have made more progress, considering his privileged access to resources.
“Given that he’s always known he’d be the Prince of Wales, William’s Welsh really should be better,” one user wrote.
Others, however, defended him, saying his willingness to learn was a positive step.
“He did okay for a first-time public speech in Welsh. At least he’s trying,” another user commented.
A Push for More Welsh in the Royal Household
Last year, the royal couple sought to hire an Assistant Private Secretary, ideally fluent in Welsh, signaling a desire to incorporate the language more within their official duties.
While William has greeted people in Welsh during visits to Wales, he has yet to hold a full conversation in public.
The Road Ahead
Despite the criticism, Dr. Evans acknowledged William’s effort, saying, “He was quite understandable and clear, but he has a little way to go. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start.”
With Wales seeing a decline in Welsh speakers—only 27% of the population speaks the language—having a future king promote it could be a significant boost.
Whether William will continue improving his skills remains to be seen, but his recent attempt has certainly reignited the conversation about the role of the Welsh language in modern royalty.