Prince William shares pint and serves pudding at Welsh Guards’ Christmas party

Prince William joined the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at their Christmas party for a festive pint.

The Prince of Wales, who is the regiment’s colonel, was also on hand to dish out dessert to the junior ranks at Combermere Barracks in Windsor on Thursday.

He became Colonel of the Welsh Guards two years ago, assuming the role from his father King Charles when he became monarch.

Posting on social media, the prince said he was “proud to be colonel of regiment – and to serve pudding to them this year”.

“A huge thank you to the soldiers and families of the Welsh Guards for everything you do,” he added.

Visiting the Welsh Guards has become an annual fixture for the prince, a connection which dates back to his 2003 gap year when he accompanied them in the jungles of Belize in Central America.

He previously visited them last November for their live firing exercises on Salisbury Plain.

Prince William was given a tour of the training ground and shown weapons, including small drones.

The battalion’s senior operator assessed his handling as “good”, adding that the future king “could be trained up”.

Prior to that he and the Princess of Wales – who now occupies her husband’s former role as Colonel of the Irish Guards – attended the regiment’s St David’s Day procession in March 2023.

After making speeches, the royal couple took part in the annual tradition of presenting handmade leeks to officers and soldiers to wear on their chests.

The 1st Battalion has featured heavily in a number of ceremonial events over the years, including Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and the king’s 2023 coronation.

They have also been the subject of several BBC documentaries and reports, including the BAFTA Cymru award-winning film Helmand: Tour of Duty in 2024.