The Prince of Wales made a surprise visit to a London Welsh school on Tuesday, trading royal formality for playful competition as he helped young students rally behind Team Wales ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Joined by schoolchildren at Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain in Hanwell, William embraced the spirit of the upcoming games with evident enthusiasm. He participated in a series of sporting activities, offering a lighthearted boost to the pupils' excitement .

During the visit, William tried his hand at lawn bowls and passed a netball around the classroom, sharing genuine smiles and laughter with students and staff. The engagement took on a particularly whimsical tone when he met Finnie, the official mascot of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Finnie, a unicorn inspired by Scotland’s national animal, was designed with direct input from 76 schoolchildren across Glasgow. The mascot’s design celebrates the city's unique character, featuring a traffic-cone horn inspired by the famous Duke of Wellington statue and a friendship bracelet crafted by local pupils .

The Prince also met with five Team Wales athletes preparing to compete in Glasgow, including lawn bowler Ross Owen, blind para bowler Julie Thomas and her guide John Wilson, as well as weightlifters Madaline Connelly and Catrin Haf Jones. The athletes had recently received their team kits, adding to the sense of anticipation. William took time to speak with them about their expectations for the games and the importance of teamwork, joking about the hot weather and sharing his hopes for a memorable summer of sport .

During the visit, William was shown the Glasgow 2026 medals, which feature Braille descriptions for the first time—a meaningful inclusion for para-athletes. He spoke candidly with the competitors and praised their dedication ahead of the international event. After meeting with staff and hearing about the school's role in promoting Welsh language and culture in London, the Prince was gifted a tie featuring the games' bespoke tartan, as well as Team Wales T-shirts for his family .

The London Welsh School, founded in 1958, is the only Welsh-medium primary school outside Wales and Patagonia, playing a key role in preserving the language among families in the capital .

The Prince of Wales later shared moments from the day on social media, offering royal followers a glimpse of his interactions. The visit comes just weeks before Glasgow welcomes more than 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from July 23 to August 2, featuring 10 sports and six para-sports across four venues. Team Wales is set to travel with a squad of 114 athletes, including 22 para-athletes, aiming to make a strong impression on the international stage .