How Llandovery RFC got then-Prince Charles as royal patron

The players, aged six to seniors,  stood on the halfway line right across the Llandovery RFC ground.  

Undaunted, the prince had enough energy left to open the Ad Clad Terrace, named after a sponsor.

Club chairman, Handel Davies, had brilliantly pulled off one of Welsh sport’s biggest coups.

He had called on Gandhi’s famous motivational quote, ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get.’

Now club president, Handel recalled: “After presenting Charles with a club tie, I bit the bullet and asked him if he would like to join us as our royal patron, and I was more than surprised when he replied, ‘I’d be delighted to do so.’

“Later on I handed him a few junior jerseys and club badges to pass to his grandchildren.

“When the prince met the players, he kept asking the junior Drovers, ‘are you a sheep, beef, or dairy farmer?’

“We are known as the Drovers, and it suggested that he had more interest in our local agriculture than he did in rugby.

“I thought to have the Prince of Wales as our patron would help raise the club’s profile, and be an honour for the town.”

Then-Prince Charles with some of Llandovery RFC's younger members (Image: Mark Davies)

Charles had already bought Llwynwernod, a 192-acre farmhouse estate near Myddfai, a small village three miles from a beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog National Park previously known as Brecon Beacons.

It was his first Welsh home, which he used as his base in Wales and whenever he was there he would faithfully attend the Sunday morning service at St. Michael’s bilingual church.

Not even the worst weather could keep him away, and he would be seen entering the church with two bodyguards, who had already placed a cushion to ease the pain from sitting on the hard, wooden pews.

A rare moment of drama for this sleepy outpost gripped the locals when Charles’ royal helicopter hovered for 20 minutes over Myddfai.

There was growing concern that something had gone wrong with its landing gear.

Puzzled onlookers watched nervously until it dropped safely onto a farmer’s field.

Charles cheerfully stepped out and went straight to a convey of vehicles where one was waiting to whisk him away.

It was later explained that  permission was needed for him to land, and he thought it would be wrong to use his royal status and just go ahead.

Trouble was, Charles had to wait longer than expected to make contact with the landowner.

Handel continued: “Charles took a genuine interest in the rugby club and understood its important role and significance at the heart of the community.

“In 2010, he hosted, and spoke, to 400 guests at a Welsh Charitables dinner in a big marquee event on our ground.

“Former Welsh icons filled the place, and included guest speakers Gareth Edwards, Clive Rowlands, John Taylor, and John Dawes.

“On another occasion, he presented life membership scrolls to Phil Davies, Eifion Evans, and myself.

 “And I found it “surreal” when Prince Charles invited my wife, Margaret, and me, to a private evening dinner with just a handful of people around the table.

With a chuckle, Handel says: “It was a wonderful experience, even though Margaret doesn’t like lamb, but I love it.

“We also attended several social functions in his huge barn, along with about 150 other guests, who included a mixture of nearby residents, representatives of local organizations and businesses, and a few dignitaries.”

Llandovery RFC’s 13-year association with Charles coincided with its most successful time in an incredible journey.

Handel adds: “During that period, we won the Welsh Cup, the National Sevens four times, and were crowned Welsh premier champions in season 2022/23 for the first time in our long history.

“The prince was always very much at ease while mixing with the locals, and especially speaking to farmers and craftsmen.

“Inviting the prince to be our patron has certainly put Llandovery on the map, and has raised the club’s profile.

“The prince repeatedly made no secret of how much he enjoyed his time with us, which was great to know.”