Prince William, the Prince of Wales, visited the village of Skenfrith in Monmouthshire on Friday, meeting residents who have endured four floods in the past six years. He told villagers that a "holistic" approach was required to tackle the local flooding that has repeatedly affected the community.
During the visit, the prince heard from people who have experienced multiple episodes of inundation. The repeated events have prompted concern locally about the resilience of homes, businesses and community life in the face of recurrent water damage.
The visit brought national attention to the experiences of a small rural community wrestling with frequent flooding. The prince’s comment on the need for a holistic response framed the issue as one that requires more than short-term fixes, although he did not set out detailed proposals while on site.
The Skenfrith visit comes as flood risk and resilience remain subjects of public debate across the country. Local leaders and residents in affected areas continue to press for long-term planning and investment to reduce the likelihood and impact of future floods.
The Prince of Wales’s appearance in Skenfrith follows a pattern of senior public figures visiting communities after extreme weather events to meet those affected and highlight the challenges they face. The visit underscored the ongoing concerns of small communities about how best to prepare for and respond to recurrent flooding.