Unplanned royal stop brings joy to staff and volunteers following official West Wales engagement
STAFF and volunteers at Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice were left thrilled after an unexpected royal visit to the charity’s shop in Lampeter.
Following an official engagement at Melin Tregwynt Woollen Mill in West Wales, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, Patron of Tŷ Hafan, made an impromptu stop at the charity’s local store — a visit that staff say they will “never forget”.
Although unplanned and brief, the Princess took time to meet and speak with staff and volunteers, shaking hands and chatting with members of the team during her visit.
Maree Thomas, Regional Sales Manager for Tŷ Hafan, who was in the shop at the time, described the moment as unforgettable.
She said: “Although the visit was brief, HRH took time to shake hands and be introduced to each of us. She spoke with our Deputy Store Manager Jenny and our volunteers Krystyna and Rachel, explaining that once she saw our shop next to her official engagement, she couldn’t pass by without popping in.
“She spoke about the importance of local communities supporting one another, how vital charity shops are within communities and for hospice families, and how much she values volunteers and the role they play in the charity sector.”
The Princess also reflected on her recent visit to the hospice, praising the work of staff and describing the hospice as “a beautiful place” where teams do “amazing work”.
During her time in the shop, she thanked both volunteers and staff, chatted while photos were taken, signed the customer comments book, and even insisted on taking a quick look at the haberdashery section — despite her team advising she had limited time.
As she prepared to leave, Deputy Store Manager Jenny jokingly said she had almost hugged the Princess, to which HRH replied: “Please do.”
Although the visit lasted around ten minutes and there was no time for browsing or shopping, the Princess then went outside to greet members of the public who had gathered nearby.
Ms Thomas added: “Although the visit was brief and unplanned, HRH clearly took time out for us and was very engaged. We were all over the moon and on a real high following this special event. We were absolutely thrilled to welcome her and her team.”
Irfon Rees, Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan, also welcomed the visit, saying:
“How fantastic that our Patron, The Princess of Wales, popped into our shop in Lampeter and spent time chatting with staff and volunteers. Her impromptu visit left everybody overjoyed.
“On behalf of everyone at Tŷ Hafan, I’d like to thank The Princess for everything she is doing for us. It means a great deal, and we look forward to welcoming her again in the near future.”
The visit has been described by staff and volunteers as a deeply special moment, highlighting the Princess’s ongoing support for Tŷ Hafan and the vital role charity shops play in supporting children’s hospice care across Wales.
