SKENFRITH, MONMOUTHSHIRE — The Prince of Wales visited the village of Skenfrith on Thursday, offering a message of support to residents still reeling from the devastating floods of last year. As the community braces for the uncertainty of an approaching storm season, the royal visit provided a moment of gravity mixed with an unexpected, lighthearted trip down memory lane.
Monmouthshire was left scarred in November 2025 by the severe impact of Storm Claudia, which prompted a formal inquiry into local flood-risk management and renewed calls for improved infrastructure. During his walkabout, the Prince spoke candidly with families who have endured the repeated trauma of four major flood events in just six years.
Among those who met the Prince were Rod and Helen Wyatt, long-term residents whose home has been at the heart of the crisis. While the conversation initially focused on the anxiety of the upcoming winter, the tension broke when Mr. Wyatt recounted a surprising childhood encounter with the royal visitor.
Gesturing to waist height, Mr. Wyatt reminded the Prince of a day at the Glanusk Estate many years ago. “First time I met you, you were this high,” he told the Prince. “You sold me a CD from a bric-a-brac stall.”
The Prince burst into laughter, clearly amused by the memory. “Dodgy car boot sale, yes, I remember that,” he replied. When Mr. Wyatt cheekily asked, “Still doing that?” the future King chuckled and admitted, “No, I don’t sell… it’s dried up a bit that one, perhaps I should reopen it.”
The brief moment of levity offered a rare look at the Prince’s personable nature, yet the visit remained centered on the serious plight of the village. The residents of Skenfrith, including Andrew Hooper and Ginette Lee, shared their ongoing concerns regarding the adequacy of current resilience measures. The repeated flooding has left many in the area living under a constant shadow, fearing that the upcoming season could bring a repeat of the 2025 catastrophe.
The Prince’s presence served to signal high-level attention to the region’s recovery efforts. As the inquiry into flood-risk management continues to unfold, the pressure remains on authorities to bolster defenses before the next cycle of winter storms arrives.
The royal visit highlighted the fragile reality facing many Welsh communities, where the battle against climate volatility has become a way of life. While the memory of a childhood car boot sale provided a warm distraction, the primary takeaway from the day was the urgent need for long-term solutions to ensure that families like the Wyatts do not have to face another year of uncertainty and loss.
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