Michelle Watkinson’s exchange with the royal couple on a visit to Holyhead Lifeboat Station in 2022 went viral
A grandmother, famously remembered for her “no teeth” comment that had the Prince and Princess of Wales in fits of laughter three years ago, has finally managed to deliver Prince William her Welsh cakes after forgetting them last time she met him.
Michelle Watkinson’s hilarious interaction with the royal couple during their visit to Holyhead Lifeboat Station in 2022 went viral when she offered to babysit Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, but warned the royals, “I’ve got no teeth”.
The Llandudno local admitted to forgetting “the Welsh cakes in the rush on the A55”, but made sure she didn’t repeat the mistake this time. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Instead, she presented Prince William with the Welsh cakes and a Welsh language children’s Christmas book titled ‘Nadolig’ for the couple’s three children.
Mrs Watkinson was among hundreds of people who gathered to see His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, on his visit to meet with young people in coastal communities in Colwyn Bay, Mochdre and Llandudno, reports North Wales Live.
Prince William instantly recognised her and greeted her with a broad smile. As she handed over the gifts, Mrs Watkinson asked the prince how learning the Welsh language was going.
He responded: “Hmmmm average.” She then proceeded to give him advice on “the simplest way to learn Welsh”.
Reflecting on her mother’s reunion with William, Michelle’s daughter Molly Watkinson said: “He remembered her straight away. They talked about the Welsh language and Kate and the children. He even accused her of flirting!”.
She continued: “They also discussed not allowing the children to have mobile phones.”
The Watkinsons handed William some Welsh cakes and a Welsh Christmas book for their children.
Fellow well-wisher Angela Jones, 65, from Conwy, also met the prince on Colwyn Bay promenade. Following a warm embrace, she revealed to North Wales Live: “I didn’t realise how tall he was! He just said ‘Pleased to meet me’ and he gave me a hug.”
Prince William also travelled to Colwyn Bay to discover more about the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Youth Ocean Network, who have been promoting the wildlife-rich coastline to their contemporaries.
His next stop was Mochdre to visit Youth Shedz, an organisation that provides a secure environment for young people facing difficulties including school exclusion, bullying and other social challenges like homelessness. His final destination was Llandudno for a comedy workshop.
Under bright winter sunshine in Colwyn Bay, the prince spoke with young volunteers and Gareth Cunningham, the MCS’s director of conservation and policy.
Following a stroll along a section of beach close to the town centre, he visited a local restaurant where he addressed a group from MCS’s two-year Hiraeth Yn Y Mor (Longing for the Sea) project, which finished in March: “I know it’s difficult to keep interest in marine things, well done for keeping going.”
In Mochdre, Matt Stuart managed to meet the prince outside Youth Shedz. He explained that a family member had previously benefited from the mental health initiative and he was keen to be there for the prince’s visit.
He mentioned that a bodyguard tried to maintain distance from the prince, but he received a “nod” from William who agreed to pose for a selfie.
Also in Mochdre, the prince asked about the items available at a tuck shop stall, with proceeds supporting Youth Shedz. “He was very genuine,” remarked counsellor Sammy Davies.
She added how he made a contribution to the tuck shop stall, which had been established by Bailey Williams. When asked whether she could believe his arrival, she responded “Yes,” as Sammy considers it such a vital organisation.
The organisation was established by Scott Jenkinson in 2017 and provides help to children and young people dealing with complex challenges.
Youth Shedz provides children with the chance to participate in activities and workshops that enable them to establish the groundwork for leading a meaningful life.
Subsequently, the prince attended a comedy workshop delivered by Welsh comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean, the co-founder of Gwneud, Make, Do.
The comedy school was established to enable people throughout the region to nurture their comedic abilities and create additional artistic opportunities, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds or residing in remote areas.
