Post-wedding, Prince William has settled back into his work at RAF Valley on the Welsh island of Anglesey, which has been thrust into the media spotlight. I was hot on his heels as I travelled to the land of the red dragon, where sandy beaches back onto the beautiful Snowdonia National Park.

Caernarvon Castle formed part of King Edward I’s iron ring, and it sits imposingly overlooking the Menai Straits. With towers, underground passageways and an inner keep, it is a sturdy pile of stones designed to repel all comers. It was Edward I’s home when he visited Wales and his wife gave birth to the first Prince of Wales there.

A youthful Prince Charles went down on his knees to take that title in 1969. Will it happen again in our lifetime? Well, if Charles one day takes the throne, it will be William’s turn to be Prince of Wales.

Thomas Telford’s iron bridge took me across the Menai Straits to Beaumaris Castle on Anglesey. Edward I’s largest castle still has a moat with swans and a drawbridge to walk across into the ruins. It is unusual in that it has two fortifications lying within each other to lure invaders into an inner trap. The king’s chapel is worth seeking out for its eerie feel and great acoustics.

While on Anglesey, I saw a few other places with royal connections such as the chapel at Penmynydd village. Here lie the tombs of the family that gave rise to the House of Tudor dynasty, and the original Tudor rose is featured in a stained glass window. Prince Charles was a visitor in early 2007, when he surprised the local bed-and-breakfast by popping in for tea.

I then drove to RAF Valley through the rolling landscape with a view towards Snowdonia. This working air base is off-limits except for the spotter’s cabin on the car park, manned with spotters that know the ins and outs of all the squadrons.

I was told that Flight Lieutenant Wales’ call sign is ‘Billy the Fish’ and he will soon earn his Captain wings. Listening into flight control on the radio, I got an idea of what was going on above our heads.

It was interesting to see that the squadron emblem is a red Maltese cross, because the 22 squadron were based in Malta when King Edward VIII approved it in 1936. The overlaid pi sign was added because of 22 squadron’s time in France with the 7th wing; and for the non-mathematicians, 22 over seven is pi!

But life is not all up in the air for the newlywed Royals on Anglesey: you may spot William on his red motorbike or see Catherine doing the weekly shop at Waitrose in Menai.

All the bracing sea air had taken its toll as I headed back to my hotel for the night, a few miles south of Caernarvon. This hotel also hasa royal connection, as it hasbeen the family home of the Armstrong Jones family since the 19th century.

Antony, a keen photographer, married Princess Margaret in 1960, and this country retreat was a favourite of hers to escape to. Now owned by Peregrine, his son, the home has been converted into the five-star Plas Dinas Country House Hotel.

The rooms and walls are full of original family mementos, wedding gifts and photographs. I could not fault the personal service provided by the resident managers Julian and Andy, who made me feel like a family friend arriving for a weekend house party.

I was lucky enough to have the Princess Margaret Suite of rooms at the front of the house overlooking the long sweeping drive, where she sat to keep an eye on arriving guests. I relaxed after a luxurious bath on the chaise long with a gin and tonic in my hand and as I looked up from my book, there was a portrait of a stunning Princess Margaret staring wistfully down at me. I know she was partial to one or two g-and-ts herself, and I hoped she would look kindly upon me sleeping in the massive four-poster bed.

Back in January, a phone call asked whether a small private lunch could be prepared. Andy took the booking and prepared smoked salmon mousse, chicken breast, and gooseberry and apple crumble. Who should turn up but Prince William himself, who showed great interest in the Royal Family connections to the 400-year-old farmhouse.

That same meal was served to me in the private Gunroom, adorned with stuffed birds, hunting sticks and a massive stone hearth. Andy loves to cook for the guests or the regular bridal parties that book the whole house for weddings.

Next up, Conwy, a town completely encircled by its castle walls. Its fortifications were finished in 1283 to keep out the Welsh.

The castle rooms overlook the River Conwy and have stunning views. Cobbled streets run down to the river estuary, which is home to the local mussel fleet, renowned for their quality.

On the quayside, visit the smallest home in the UK, measuring 310cm high by 183cm wide by 254cm deep. ‘Blodwen’, in her flowing cape and costume, is a local guide who made the history come alive around the castle and on the night-time ghost tour of the haunted Tudor Plas Mawr.

I stayed close by in the Castle Hotel, an old world country hotel, where Welsh chef Graham Tinsley has given the Dawson’s Restaurant a great reputation, using onlythe finest local produce. You will need a hearty breakfast to walk the castle walls.

The idyllic green landscape of north Wales has long been a favourite for family holidays.

Whether it is touring by car, walking in the mountains or taking a ride on a heritage railway, there is plenty to occupy a budding prince or princess too.

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