A VOLUNTEER has spoken about his day at the palace to mark the 50th anniversary of the investiture of HRH The Prince of Wales.

Gerry Frobisher, who works with Denbighshire County Council Youth Services, was invited to Buckingham Palace on March 5 as a response to his work as North Wales Young Dragons/Dreigiau Ifanc Gogledd Cymru co-ordinator.

During the event, the former Prestatyn mayor exchanged a few words with the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Charles was created Prince of Wales on July 26 1958. He was aged 20 when he was invested with the title by the Queen at Caernarfon Castle on July 1 1969.

The town councillor, who is married to Sharon, said: "The picture gallery was full of about 250 guests representing Wales.

"We were allowed to walk around and speak to the other guests. We enjoyed soft drinks and canapes before the Royal Family entered the room.

"It was not advised to walk around the room after the Royal Family had entered.

"I saw Prince Charles, The Princess Royal and Prince William across the room but was unable to get close to them."

The two hour reception finished off with guests moving through to the Grand Ballroom, where guests were joined by the the Queen, the Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, The Princess Royal, The Earl and Countess of Snowdon and The Lady Sarah and Daniel Chatto.

Gerry, who has had six invitations to the palace since 2007 when he received his MBE, added: "We sat and listened to a short concert provided by performers from The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and a short speech by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welsby the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury."

Gerry followed in the footsteps of his parents Joyce and Ernest when he attended the special event; His mother and father were invited to be among the guests inside Caernarfon castle in 1969.

Gerry was 11 at the time.

"I felt really proud being able to walk across the front of the Palace and being watched and photographed by the huge crowd who must have been wondering who all the guests were," Gerry said.

"Buckingham Palace is a magnificent building and furnished really lavishly. All the walls were covered in oil paintings some of Queen Victoria and her family and other Princes and Princesses over the last century or two. There are huge chandeliers and wall mounted lights because many of the rooms have no windows.

"The whole event was well organised. The Palace holds many receptions so it has become a well oiled machine.

"I was disappointed that we were not allowed to take photographs in the palace or during the reception, but being so close to, and being able to speak to some of the Royal family is an honour in itself.

"The reception experience will stay in my memory for a long time."