Royal couple set for Llangollen Eisteddfod opening

The royal couple will arrive by helicopter on the July 7 opening day of the event for the Parade of Nations led by Eisteddfod president Terry Waite CBE.

They will be escorted to the Royal International Pavilion by the Lord Lieutenant Harry Fetherstonhaugh and his wife Davina, who will introduce them to eisteddfod chairman Gethin Davies and other eisteddfod officers before meeting those who are taking part in the parade.

The Prince and the Duchess will then watch as the parade sets off on its annual route into the town.

Chairman Mr Davies, 76, has seen four royal visits to the festival – in 1953 a visit to the eisteddfod was one of the first of the Queen's official engagements after her coronation; the Prince of Wales visited with Diana 30 years ago in 1985, while in 2006 he came with the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Queen was also at the Eisteddfod in 1992 to open the Royal International Pavilion.

Mr Davies said: "I remember the very first time the Queen came in 1953 when I was a teenage usher while still a pupil at Llangollen Grammar School.

"It is a great honour to have Prince Charles here again 30 years after his first visit. He has really seemed to enjoy coming here in the past and we're very pleased to have the honour of his presence here for the third time."

Continuing the royal connection, Prince Charles's former royal harpist Catrin Finch will perform on Wednesday evening at a concert to celebrate South American music and the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Welsh colony in Patagonia.

Tickets are still available for all days of the festival. For more details on the 2015 festival go to the website at www.international- eisteddfod.co.uk