Posted on 19 January 2010
Professor Marc Clement, University of Wales Vice Chancellor and HRH, Prince of Wales.
The Prince of Wales now has his own office in Wales, less than three years after acquiring a house in Carmarthenshire.
Starting this week, Dr Manon Williams - the Prince's Private Secretary with special responsibility for Wales - will work two days a week out of an office in Cardiff.
Previously mainly based at Clarence House in London, Dr Williams will now share her time between Clarence House and her new office in The University of Wales Registry, Cathays Park, Cardiff. An assistant will be recruited shortly who will be permanently based in Wales.
The move comes as The Prince seeks to build on the work of his charities in Wales which last September held a joint conference at Llwynywermod, his farmhouse in Carmarthenshire, and are now pursuing a range of initiatives aimed at promoting environmental, social and economic sustainability.
The location of the office in Cathays Park reflects the keen interest The Prince takes in the University of Wales, of which he is Chancellor. The Prince receives regular briefings on the University’s work and hosts an annual reception for students. Last year the Prince launched The Prince of Wales Innovation Scholarships, an innovative £11.4m programme, managed by the University, which encourages the best students to work with business on innovative projects. The first recipients were announced yesterday.
The Prince, together with the Duchess of Cornwall, is a regular visitor to Wales, undertaking official engagements throughout the year, including Their Royal Highnesses' annual "Wales Week" each summer. The Prince and Duchess also frequently visit Llwynywermod privately.
When the Prince and Duchess are not present, Llwynywermod serves as a conference venue for the Prince's Charities and also has some additional accommodation which is rented as holiday lets.
Notes to Editors
Llwynywermod, in Myddfai, Carmarthenshire was purchased by The Duchy of Cornwall in March 2007. The Prince of Wales had, for some time, wished to have a base in Wales. The three bedroom farm house is used as a base by Their Royal Highnesses during their annual summer visit to Wales. They also regularly visit during other times of the year.
The property includes a barn which has been converted into a conference unit, to be used by The Prince’s Charities. The unit includes a large dining room, lounge and a three bedroom residential unit. There is also an extra dwelling for ancillary accommodation on the West Range of the property. Occasionally, when the property is not in use by Their Royal Highnesses, or The Prince’s Charities, the barn and the ancillary accommodation will be used as holiday lets.
Contacts:
Joanna Davies, Head of Communications, University of Wales, Cardiff CF10 3NS 02920 376999
www.princeofwales.gov.uk
www.wales.ac.uk