Prince William proved once again why he is the most down-to-earth future king in centuries last night when he gate-crashed the Welsh Guards’ annual Christmas party at Combermere Barracks – and promptly rolled up his sleeves to serve drinks, sing carols off-key, and lose spectacularly at a regimental beer-mat flipping contest.

The Prince of Wales, who has been Colonel of the Welsh Guards since 2022, arrived unannounced just after 8 p.m. wearing jeans, a festive red Welsh Guards jumper, and the slightly sheepish grin of a man who knows he is about to cause delightful chaos. Within minutes he was mobbed by cheering soldiers who hadn’t expected their royal colonel to actually show up to their notoriously rowdy pre-Christmas bash.

“He just strolled in with a couple of protection officers, shouted ‘Bore da, boys and girls – who’s buying the Colonel a drink?’ and that was it,” laughed one lance corporal. “Next thing we know, he’s behind the bar pulling pints of Brains SA like he’s done it all his life.”

According to eyewitnesses, William spent almost three hours circulating among the 400-plus guests – officers, soldiers, veterans and families – shaking hands, posing for selfies, and listening intently to stories from the regiment’s recent deployments and training exercises. But the real highlight came when the Prince accepted a dare to join the legendary Welsh Guards beer-mat flipping championship.

“He was absolutely rubbish,” a grinning sergeant major told us this morning. “Managed two flips before the mat went straight into the regimental goat’s water bucket. The goat looked more offended than anyone. The lads gave him a standing ovation anyway – you’ve got to love a colonel who’s willing to look daft for the battalion.”

The regimental goat – Taffy VIII, the current incarnation of the Welsh Guards’ famous mascot – played his own starring role in the evening. Dressed in a tiny Santa hat and a miniature red coat, he wandered freely among the tables, occasionally head-butting ankles in search of mince pies. At one point William was photographed crouched down scratching Taffy behind the ears while the goat tried to eat the Prince’s jumper sleeve.

Music was provided by the Corps of Drums, who switched seamlessly between traditional Welsh hymns, classic Christmas carols, and – at the soldiers’ loud request – a full-throated rendition of “Sweet Caroline” that had William belting out the chorus with impressive enthusiasm and questionable pitch.

When the buffet ran low on pigs-in-blankets, the Prince reportedly disappeared into the kitchens and returned triumphantly carrying two fresh trays, declaring: “Can’t have my Guards going hungry at Christmas – standards must be maintained!”

One young guardsman, fresh back from exercises in Kenya, admitted he was star-struck. “I shook his hand and he asked me about my mum back in Cardiff – he actually remembered her name from when he met her at the regiment’s homecoming parade last year. That’s not just royal duty, that’s proper care.”

The party is a cherished tradition for the Welsh Guards, held every December before the battalion disperses for Christmas leave. This year’s event carried extra significance: 2025 marks the 110th anniversary of the regiment’s formation, and many older veterans had travelled long distances to attend.

William made a point of spending time with several Chelsea Pensioners who served with the Guards in the 1950s and 60s. One 92-year-old former colour sergeant was overheard telling the Prince: “You’re a credit to the regiment, sir – and you pull a better pint than half the lads here!”

As the evening wound down, the Prince gave an impromptu speech thanking the soldiers and their families for their service. “You are the beating heart of this regiment,” he said, voice thick with emotion. “I might wear the badge, but you live it every single day. Diolch o galon – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

He left just before midnight to a thunderous three cheers and the entire room singing “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” (the Welsh national anthem) at full volume. Outside in the cold Berkshire air, William paused to take one last selfie with a group of young soldiers before climbing into his car – still wearing the slightly chewed Welsh Guards Christmas jumper.

This morning, Combermere Barracks was buzzing with hangover cures and happy memories. One corporal summed it up for everyone: “Best Christmas do we’ve ever had. The Prince didn’t just turn up – he was one of us for the night. You can’t ask for more than that from your colonel.”

Somewhere in Kensington Palace, we suspect three small children are already begging their dad to teach them how to flip beer mats – and probably wondering why the family Labrador isn’t allowed to wear a Santa hat to dinner.

Long live the Welsh Guards – and long live a Prince who knows that the best way to lead is to laugh, listen, and occasionally serve a slightly wonky pint.