01 March 2024 , 13:22
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Prince William marked St David's Day by glugging shots with Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney on Friday.
The Prince of Wales headed to the iconic Turf pub next to The Racecourse Ground to meet with It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia creator McElhenney and executive director Humphrey Ker, as well as other members of the club's staff and supporters.
The Turf is a focal point in the popular documentary series Welcome To Wrexham, which has made the North Wales club a global attraction under the ownership of McElhenney and Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds.
At the watering hole where Wrexham fans toast their victories and drown their sorrows, 41-year-old William was pictured pulling a pint of Madri behind the bar before sampling something a bit stronger that was poured by McElhenney.
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The royal traveled to Wrexham without his wife, Kate Middleton, who is continuing her recovery from planned abdominal surgery on January 17. Reynolds was also not in attendance, with the 47-year-old stateside as editing continues on the soon-to-be-released film Deadpool 3.
The Prince also made his way onto the pitch at the Racecourse to meet manager Phil Parkinson and his players before posing for a picture with McElhenney, Ben Tozer and club captain Luke Young, who presented William with a Wrexham shirt with "William" and the number nine emblazoned on the back.
Prince William met Phil Parkinson and his Wrexham squad at The Racecourse Ground (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)Prince William also visited All Saint's Primary School in Wrexham, with children performing traditional St David's Day celebrations including folk dancing and serving a slice of Bara Brith, a fruit loaf that is a local staple.
It is not the first time McElhenney has welcomed royal visitors to Wrexham, with King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla touring the stadium and meeting staff in December 2022. McElhenney also spent time with Prince Harry in September, watching Lionel Messi's Inter Miami play LAFC in a Major League Soccer game.
Prince William has resumed his schedule of public appearances after abruptly pulling out of an event on Tuesday, leading to speculation that his absence was related to the Princess of Wales' heath.
However, Kensington Palance issued a statement that the Princess is "doing well" in her recovery, adding: "We were very clear from the outset that the Princess of Wales was out until after Easter and Kensington Palace would only be providing updates when something was significant."
Wrexham are chasing a second successive promotion under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney. The Red Dragons sit fourth in the League Two table, one point adrift of the automatic promotion places ahead of Saturday's visit of Accrington Stanley to The Racecourse Ground.