October 29, 2024

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The remote Welsh home where Prince Charles is staying after Prince Philip’s funeral

Watch: Prince Charles cries as he visits Prince Philip memorial

Prince Charles has reportedly travelled to Wales following his father’s funeral, choosing to spend some time in his remote home in the Brecon Beacons.

Llwynywermod, near Llandovery, is a rural retreat which was bought by Charles via the Duchy of Cornwall in 2007, 50 years after he became the Prince of Wales.

It was the first home he had in Wales despite his long link with the nation.

Explaining how he had come to find it in an article with the Visit Wales tourist board he said: “After a long search lasting some 40 years! 

“Several houses and sites were explored until, finally, we came across Llwynywermod in an exceptionally beautiful part of Carmarthenshire, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons and within reasonable reach of Cardiff.”

LLANDOVERY, WALES - JULY 02: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales presents Alis Huws, new Official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales, with the Royal Harpist's brooch, during a musical evening hosted at The Prince and The Duchess’ official Welsh residence; Llwynywermod on July 02, 2019 in Llandovery, Wales. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Prince Charles presenting Alis Huws, new Official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales, with the Royal Harpist’s brooch, at Llwynywermod in July 2019 in Llandovery, Wales. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

MYDDFAI, WALES - JULY 1:  Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrives to host a tea party for children and their families from the 'Dreams and Wishes' charity which supports seriously ill young people on July 1, 2013 in Llwynywermod, Myddfai, Llandovery, United Kingdom.   (Photo by Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall before a tea party for children and their families from the ‘Dreams and Wishes’ charity in Llwynywermod in 2013. (Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LLANDOVERY, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 22:  A general view of TRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales's welsh property Llwynywermod on June 22, 2009 in Llandovery, United Kingdom. The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales are on their annual 'Wales Week' visit to the region and will be staying at the recently refurbished property.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Pool/Getty Images)

Llwynywermod in June 2009 in Llandovery during their annual ‘Wales Week’ visit to the region. (Chris Jackson/Pool/Getty Images)

Prince Charles became the Prince of Wales when he was just nine-years-old.

However he was not formally invested in the role until 1969, during his time at university.

Although he went to Cambridge University, he spent one term in Aberystwyth where he learned Welsh, to prepare him for his role.

He then gave a speech at his investiture in Welsh. 

Read more: Royal Family goes back to work amid mourning period for Prince Philip

LLANDOVERY, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 22:  TRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales pose for a photograph outside their welsh property Llwynywermod before a drinks reception on June 22, 2009 in Llandovery, United Kingdom. The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales are on their annual 'Wales Week' visit to the region and will be staying at the recently refurbished property.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Pool/Getty Images)

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales outside their Welsh property Llwynywermod in 2009. (Chris Jackson/Pool/Getty Images)

LLANDOVERY, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 22:  A general view of TRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales's welsh property Llwynywermod on June 22, 2009 in Llandovery, United Kingdom. The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales are on their annual 'Wales Week' visit to the region and will be staying at the recently refurbished property.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Pool/Getty Images)

Charles was keen to renovate and decorate with local craftsmen. (Chris Jackson/Pool/Getty Images)

LLANDOVERY, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 22:  A general view of TRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales's welsh property Llwynywermod on June 22, 2009 in Llandovery, United Kingdom. The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales are on their annual 'Wales Week' visit to the region and will be staying at the recently refurbished property.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The courtyard garden in the Prince of Wales’ home. (Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The home at Llwynywermod was renovated by architect Craig Hamilton with the interiors by Annabel Elliot.

In keeping with Charles’s outlook on the environment, materials were either reused or sourced locally, and there was an emphasis on being “green”.

In his foreword to House & Garden’s 2008 Green by Design, he explained: “Why, I must ask, does being “green” mean building with glass and steel and concrete then adding wind turbines, solar panels and water-heaters, sedum roofs, glass atria – the paraphernalia of the new “green building industry” – to offset buildings that are inefficient in the first place? 

“Traditional homes – from the humblest to the grandest – were built to conserve as much precious fuel as possible, through solid walls, windows in the right places and of the right size, sounder foundations, stronger roof trusses, stouter doors and (most important) an ability to change, making them adaptable from generation to generation.”

ITV also reported that the prince spotted an opportunity to link his son and daughter-in-law to the property too.

The trees which were used inside Westminster Abbey during the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate are now planted outside Llwynywermod.

Read more: How the Royal Family have been supporting the Queen since Prince Philip retired

A view of some pottery displayed on a cabinet inside the non-private residence hall of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall's property in Llwynywermod, near Llandovery.   (Photo by Ben Birchall - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

Pottery displayed on a cabinet inside the non-private residence hall of Llwynywermod. (Ben Birchall – PA Images)

A view of the entrance hallway inside the non-private residence hall of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall's property in Llwynywermod, near Llandovery.   (Photo by Ben Birchall - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

The entrance hallway inside the non-private residence hall. The homes can be rented out for summer holidays. (Ben Birchall – PA Images)

A view inside the non-private residence hall of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall's property in Llwynywermod, near Llandovery.   (Photo by Ben Birchall - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

The home was found after a 40 year search by Prince Charles for a Welsh base. (Ben Birchall – PA Images)

The property is now a three-bedroom farmhouse which was once a coach house.

The 13-bedroom country house which was originally on the 215 acre site no longer exists.

Llwynywermod dates back to the 13th Century and was owned by William Williams, a relative of Anne Boleyn.

Of the house, Charles has said: “Llwynywermod was originally part of an old estate with the ruins of the old house, the remnants of an 18th century landscaped park and various disintegrating ‘concrete and corrugated iron’ modern farm buildings and an abandoned slurry pit. All this required a lot of re-ordering and restoration. 

“I was determined that as many local and Duchy of Cornwall natural materials as possible could be used in the rebuilding and restoration process and that the house should be a showcase for traditional Welsh craftsmanship, textiles and woodwork, so as to draw attention to the high quality small enterprises, woollen mills, quilt-makers, joiners, stonemasons and metal-workers situated in rural parts of Wales.”

A general view of one of the bedrooms inside of the Prince of Wales' new farmhouse, in Llwynywermod, near Llandovery, Wales.   (Photo by Anthony Stone - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

Pne of the bedrooms inside of the Prince of Wales’ farmhouse. (Anthony Stone – PA Images)

A general view of one of the bedrooms inside of the Prince of Wales' new farmhouse, in Llwynywermod, near Llandovery, Wales.   (Photo by Anthony Stone - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

The property can be rented when Prince Charles doesn’t need to use it. (Anthony Stone – PA Images)

A general view of the interior downstairs of North Range Hall, inside the Prince of Wales' new farmhouse, in Llwynywermod, near Llandovery, Wales.   (Photo by Anthony Stone - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

The North Range Hall, inside Llwynywermod. The prince wanted it to be eco-friendly. (Anthony Stone – PA Images)

As well as being somewhere for Charles to stay when he is visiting Wales, particularly during ‘Wales week’ each summer the home is also a holiday let.

He hosts an evening of Welsh music and poetry at Llwynywermod every summer. 

There are two cottages which are located off the courtyard which have previously been available as holiday lets, one which sleeps six and one which sleeps four.

However the properties are not currently listed on the Duchy of Cornwall holiday let site.

Watch: Prince Charles ‘flees’ to grieve and ‘contemplate future of Royal Family’