Meghan Markle joked it would be ‘fun’ to have her hen party in Cardiff during a tour of the historic Welsh capital today.
The American princess-in-waiting even delighted one stunned fan by breaking protocol by signing her autograph and posing for a selfie.
Miss Markle arrived in the city alongside her fiancé Prince Harry to tumultuous applause from adoring fans who showered the couple in hugs, handshakes and kisses.
Meghan Markle joked with fans that it would be ‘fun’ to have her hen party in Cardiff during a tour of the historic Welsh capital today
Miss Markle arrived in the city alongside her fiancé Prince Harry to tumultuous applause from adoring fans who showered the couple in hugs, handshakes and even kisses
The bride-to-be said she was a ‘super lucky woman’ as she and Harry put on a touching display of affection while carrying out their third engagement – but apologised for being late after their train from London was delayed.
Meghan-mania saw royal supporters queuing outside Cardiff Castle from 6am waiting in the biting cold for the US-born actress and her besotted prince, with some even managing to steal a hug from her as she arrived.
And playful Harry was overheard praising Welsh singing, telling his fiancée: ‘You are only going to hear the best singing in Wales… at the Principality Stadium we have the best singing. People are in tune, which you can’t say for most football stadiums.’
Meghan wrapped up against the biting cold in a black coat by Stella McCartney, with a ‘mini venice’ handbag in forest green by British leather goods company DeMellier worth £295 and trousers by the Welsh fashion house, Hiut Denim.
Sixth former Amy Thomas , 18, persuaded Meghan to pose for a selfie in the grounds of Cardiff Castle. Amy, of Groesfaen, Cardiff, said: ‘She was lovely and friendly.’
Sixth former Amy Thomas , 18, persuaded Meghan to pose for a selfie in the grounds of Cardiff Castle. Amy, of Groesfaen, Cardiff, said: ‘She was lovely and friendly’
Autograph: Miss Markle wrote a sweet note to one lucky fan with a little heart during her visit to Cardiff
Fans seized the opportunity to dress up for the momentous occasion – with one putting on a regal display, stealing the show in her Queen Victoria costume
A visit to Wales is not complete without sampling a Welsh cake – and that’s exactly what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made sure to do during their time in Cardiff.
They were also given traditional Welsh lovespoons, listened to a Welsh love song and a Welsh poem, as well as the Welsh choir Only Boys Aloud.
The couple spent half an hour chatting to wellwishers outside a rainy Cardiff Castle, before taking a further 90 minutes exploring inside.
Their visit concluded with a Taste of Wales experience, where Harry and Ms Markle were able to enjoy slices of Welsh cheese and of course, Welsh cakes.
Ms Markle herself showcased Welsh manufacturing, with her trousers by Hiut Denim, made in Cardigan, Ceredigion, west Wales.
Local delicacies: The Prince and Miss Markle enjoyed a taste of traditional Welsh cakes after a tour of the historic castle
Impressed: The happy couple looked impressed as they watched a performance by a Welsh choir in the banqueting hall
The US actress proclaimed the traditional Welsh cake ‘very good’ after tasting one made by the Village Bakery, based in Wrexham, north Wales.
‘Very good,’ she said. ‘Wow, it’s great.’
Welsh cakes are made with flour, sugar, mixed spice, butter, currants, milk and egg, and cooked on a griddle.
The couple were also treated to a wedding cake made from Welsh cheese, with Ms Markle exclaiming: ‘Oh my goodness, how sweet is that’.
Both Ms Markle and Harry tasted small pieces of the mature cheddar that made up part of the five-tier cake, which she described as ‘really delicious’.
The cake, by the Snowdonia Cheese Company, based in Rhyl, north Wales, included extra mature cheddar, vintage Red Leicester, a garlic and herb cheese and a smoked mature cheddar.
Simon Mercer, director of the company, said: ‘We have created it for them, the topper says ‘congratulations’ in Welsh.
‘They are very welcome to take it with them.’
Ms Markle and Harry were presented with a hamper full of other Welsh products to try, including Halen Mon salt, cider, edible flowers, and Merlyn Cream Liqueur.
At the beginning of their time inside the castle, Harry and Ms Markle listened to the Welsh poem Hon by Sir Thomas Herbert Parry-Williams.
Sixth form student Emily Pemberton, who comes from an English speaking family but learnt Welsh at primary school, recited the poem.
The Royal couple arrived in the Welsh capital to a tumultuous welcome from cheering and flag waving fans
Meghan-mania saw royal supporters queuing outside from 6am – seven hours before the couple were due to arrive
Enlli Pugh, of Eryri Young Farmers Club, then sang a Welsh love song to the couple.
Harry told his fiancee: ‘You are only going to hear the best singing in Wales.
‘At the Principality Stadium we have the best singing.
‘People are in tune, which you can’t say for most football stadiums.’
After hearing Enlli’s rendition, Ms Markle said: ‘What a marvellous voice. It is beautiful, wow. Thank you.’
The actress described a performance by Welsh choir Only Boys Aloud as ‘unbelievable, that was so incredible’.
She also praised a street dance by Katie Morris, 18, from Maesteg and Reuel Elijah, 21, from Grangetown, Cardiff.
The dance, by the Jukebox Collective, was choreographed especially for the royal visit and is entitled ‘Toy Soldier’.
‘She loved it, she was really impressed by the choreography,’ company director Liara Barussi said.
Harry told Mr Elijah, who danced the part of a royal guardsman: ‘If the guardsman started dancing like that, what will the tourists think?’
The couple also met players involved in Welsh sports, receiving signed shirts from the Welsh Rugby team and the Welsh women’s football teams.
They were also presented with a football signed by the Welsh men’s football team.
Winger Nadia Lawrence, 28, who plays for Wales, said: ‘It was amazing, it was surreal. They seemed very down to Earth.’
The couple left Wales with a number of Welsh lovespoons – tokens of love and affection that date back centuries.
One, with the initials H and M carved into it, was presented by Harry Smith, six, and Megan Taylor, nine, of Marlborough Primary School.