Prince William Takes a Shot with Rob McElhenney as He Visits Wrexham Pub in Wales on Special Feast Day

The Prince of Wales made the trip without his wife Kate Middleton as she continues her private recovery following abdominal surgery

Prince William is kicking off the weekend in Wales on the feast day for the country’s patron saint.

On Friday, the Prince of Wales, 41, stepped out in Wrexham on St. David’s Day for the national celebration, and his first stop was The Turf pub. The pub — situated next to the Wrexham Association Football Club's stadium, Racecourse Ground — is the oldest public house at any sports stadium in the world. The Wrexham soccer team caught the attention of people around the world through the docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, which follows the redevelopment of the historic soccer club after it was purchased by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021.

McElhenney was in Wrexham to welcome the Prince of Wales. Reynolds is editing Deadpool so couldn't be there on Friday, but royal sources say there are hopes for Prince William and the actor will catch up later in the year.

Prince William got behind the bar, doing a toast and taking a shot a whiskey with McElhenney and the Turf's owner, Wayne Jones. In fact, the royal said "cheers" with the actor and comedian's Four Walls whiskey brand.

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"Happy St. David's Day," McElhenney said after drinking his shot.

The royal also revealed that his bartending skills need some work when pouring a pint.

"Still got a horrible head on it. That's why I don't work behind the bar. That might settle in about an hour, talk among yourselves," he quipped.

"This is much easier," McElhenney said pouring the whiskey shots.

Prince William also met staff, community members and representatives of various charities at the pub, where he learned more about how it unifies the community and supports local causes.

Outside the pub, he received a daffodil from young Florence Boyle, who also gave Prince William a high five. The royal also wore a small daffodil on his jacket. It's tradition to wear a daffodil or a leek (Saint David's personal symbol) on the feast day as both are closely associated with the nation.

King Charles’ elder son then moved to check out the pitch at the soccer stadium — which was no surprise for royal watchers. Prince William is president of the Football Association, the game’s governing body in England. Around the rest of his royal schedule, he’s known to pen personal messages on X about breaking soccer news and attend Aston Villa games to cheer on his favorite team.

Prince William was gifted with a Wrexham jersey with his first name and the number 9 on the back.

Prince William further heard about the club’s development and successful run since Reynolds and McElhenney assumed ownership in 2021. He then took time to meet with staff and players, rounding out his day at the stadium.

It was the second royal visit to the soccer club in recent years. In December 2022, King Charles and Queen Camilla paid a similar visit to Wrexham to learn more about the revitalization of the third-oldest professional soccer club in the world. That April, the Welsh team scored a huge goal when it secured promotion to the English Football League for the first time in 15 years.

The King, 75, and Queen, 76, were escorted onto the pitch by Reynolds and McElhenney, and the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator included a photo of the moment in his 2023 year-end Instagram carousel. The montage also included a shot of his hangout with Prince Harry at the Inter Miami CF and Los Angeles FC soccer game in L.A. in September.

Related: Prince William Accepts Flowers for Kate Middleton as He Returns to Duty After Pulling Out of Service

Prince William's second stop of the day was to Ysgol Yr Holl Saint/All Saint's School, an elementary school in Wrexham. He was shown the children's celebrations including traditional Welsh folk dancing and the baking of a fruity loaf called Bara Brith.

At the school, William was gifted with three dragon toys, which a student humorously suggested naming after the three pupils who were picked to present them. He also received a bouquet of flowers.

"I’ll pass those on to Catherine as well," he told the schoolchildren, according to a video shared by Radio City News.

Related: Prince William Accepts Sweet Gifts for Kate Middleton and Their Kids at Welsh School: 'He Was Really Grateful'

Prince William finished his day at the Gresford Colliery Disaster Memorial. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the tragic event which saw 266 men die following an explosion in the colliery. More than 500 men were trapped underground following the explosion in the early hours of the morning, with the number of workers on site much larger than usual as many had doubled their shifts so they could watch a Wrexham football match later that day.

During the visit, the Prince of Wales met relatives of those who were killed in the disaster and heard from committee members who have been key in setting up the memorial and preserving the history of the Colliery.

Prince William also met members from the Wrexham Miners Rescue Station, which opened in 1913 to train rescuers on various techniques on how to save miners. In 1934, many of those who trained at the station helped in the mission to save workers trapped as a result of the Gresford disaster, with three rescue workers losing their lives.

Prince William visited Wales for his second St. David’s Day since becoming the Prince of Wales. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, King Charles used his first speech as sovereign to pronounce his eldest son as the Prince of Wales, conferring the traditionally given to the male heir to the British throne (and which King Charles held until his accession).

Prince William’s wife, Kate Middleton, became the Princess of Wales in the same sweep, and the couple visited Wales for a busy day of community engagements just before St. David’s Day next year.

Last March 1, the couple honored the Welsh Guards in Windsor, a short drive from their home, during the St. David's Day Parade. The event marked the first time Prince William has visited the Welsh Guards since becoming the ceremonial Colonel of the Welsh Guards, a natural fit for his new royal role.

Prince William visited Wrexham solo, as his wife continued her private recovery from abdominal surgery. On Jan. 17, Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales, 42, had had “planned abdominal surgery” the day prior and would remain in hospital before heading home to continue her recovery.

"Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,” Kensington Palace said, mentioning Princess Kate’s wish that “her personal medical information remains private.”

After Prince William abruptly pulled out of a scheduled appearance on Tuesday, social media speculation about her health and whereabouts prompted the palace to release a rare statement.

"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,” a spokesperson for Princess Kate said on Thursday. The spokesperson reiterated the princess is "doing well."

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That morning, Prince William returned to royal duties with a visit to the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London, where he received flowers for his wife. Princess Kate was also meant to visit the synagogue, with the stop planned to coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day. However, the engagement was postponed due to her procedure on Jan. 16 and was reinstated as soon as was practicable, according to palace aides.

“He said he was sorry that it had to be postponed as it was meant to be around Holocaust Memorial Day, and I gave him some flowers and a card to wish her a speedy recovery and that we were thinking of her,” Karen Pollock, CEO of the Holocaust Educational Trust, tells PEOPLE. “He seemed touched.”

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