CHARLES and Camilla’s week long tour of Wales saw a visit to Llanerch Vineyard in Pontyclun to mark its 10th anniversary.

The Duchess of Cornwall carried out a solo event visiting the vineyard in her role as president of GB Wines.

The duchess had met the owner, Ryan Davies, at a Buckingham Palace event and made good on a promise to visit his business.

Penarth Times: The Duchess of Cornwall, president of Wine GB, meets with local food suppliers during a visit marking the 10th anniversary of the Llanerch Vineyard in Pontyclun (Chris Jackson/PA)The Duchess of Cornwall, president of Wine GB, meets with local food suppliers during a visit marking the 10th anniversary of the Llanerch Vineyard in Pontyclun (Chris Jackson/PA)

The royal, whose father Major Bruce Shand was a wine merchant, tried the winery’s award-winning sparking Cariad blush and declared it “fantastic”.

Mr Davies, 34, who bought the winery 10 years ago and has created a thriving business, was praised by Camilla.

“Before I go can I congratulate you on the wonderful job you have done here with this incredible vineyard,” she said.

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“I know you started knowing nothing about it and have learnt a lot in a short space of time.

“As president of Wines GB, I am so proud to be part of the wine growing industry in the UK. I’ve been to quite a lot of vineyards – 600, I think so far – and I intend to visit as many as I possibly can.

“We are really getting it right in this country and giving the French a run for their money. Many congratulations.”

Penarth Times: Camilla sampled some wine with owner of Llanerch Vineyard, Ryan Davies (Chris Jackson/PA)Camilla sampled some wine with owner of Llanerch Vineyard, Ryan Davies (Chris Jackson/PA)

While Camilla was supporting the nation’s wine industry, Charles toured the Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Unit at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in the village of Ynysmaerdy near Cardiff.

During the visit, the prince met NHS staff from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, patients and their loved ones at the eight-bed unit, which opened its doors in September 2019.

The £7.25 million unit was largely funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and its charity partner National Garden Scheme – with the prince supporting both organisations as patron.