The Prince of Wales met the four-year-old star of a viral Christmas advert during a visit to one of mid Wales’ oldest businesses.
Prince Charles received a vinyl record and a chocolate from Arthur Jones at the family-run Hafod Hardware store in Rhayader to celebrate independent businesses and show support for the local high street.
“It’s so marvellous that these kinds of shops are still going,” he said walking around the traditional old fashioned, wooden panelled store in the heart of the market town.
Arthur was catapulted into the national and international limelight in 2019 after a homemade festive commercial for his family’s business was watched by millions of people worldwide, including the heir to the British throne.
“We were blown away with it. Arthur was a little shy but he enjoyed it,” said Arthur’s dad, Tom, who is also the store’s manager.
“Prince Charles had seen our previous Christmas videos and he wanted to visit the shop. He was great and so easy to talk to, a real nice guy. He was great with the kids.
“He said how lovely the shop was and it's nice to see these sort of shops still around, and how on earth did I manage with stocktaking. I told him it can be a bit of a struggle.”
Prince Charles joked with people who lined the street in the rain before Lord Lieutenant of Powys Tia Jones, introduced him to the High Sheriff of Powys Peter James, Powys County Council chairman Cllr Gwynfor Thomas, Powys County Council chief executive Dr Caroline Turner, Brecon and Radnorshire Senedd Member James Evans, Mayor of Rhayader and Cwmdauddwr Cllr Lee Price and Hafod Hardware store manager Tom Jones.
Later, The Prince of Wales was presented with an award at Llandrindod Wells’ The Metropole Hotel in recognition of a charity he founded 20 years ago that has helped thousands of over 50s find jobs and training.
PRIME Cymru was launched in 2001 in response to the many letters Prince Charles was receiving from those aged over 50, who were facing overwhelming problems securing work because of their age.
Chief Executive of National Mentoring Day, Chelsey Baker presented The Prince of Wales with the award, to acknowledge PRIME Cymru's outstanding contribution to mentoring in Wales, to which the prince responded: “Splendid”.
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