St David's Day: Prince Charles and Camilla join celebrations

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have attended a St David's Day service in Cardiff as part of celebrations to mark the national day.

The service was held at St John The Baptist City Parish Church, and included an address from the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan.

The couple then visited the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Carwyn Jones are among those who have sent St David's Day messages.

The royal visit began at St John's, a 12th Century medieval building believed to be the oldest in the city after Cardiff Castle.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall leave St John The Baptist City Parish Church in Cardiff

The annual service, hosted by Cardiff's Lord Mayor, was also attended by guests from sectors including the arts, business, charities and the armed forces.

Dr Morgan told the service that Wales is an emerging nation, and focused on the importance of listening to others.

He said: "It is possible to be both distinctively Welsh and open to the insights of others - for all of us, in the end, belong to a global village and we impact and affect one another".

He added that leaders should be open to changing their minds when they lose arguments.

Prince Charles is patron of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where the couple attended a St David's Day concert. It included a performance by royal harpist Hannah Stone, a graduate at the college, and former royal harpist Catrin Finch.

It was the first royal visit of the weekend, with the Queen visiting Swansea on Saturday to present leeks to members of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh.

In his annual St David's Day message, First Minister Carwyn Jones said the Welsh government was doing all it could to sell Wales to the business world.

'Myth and legend'

He said: "St David's life is shrouded in myth and legend, but we get a picture of a man willing to stand up for what he felt was right.

"The stories passed down through the generations portray a man who was, for his time, outward-looking, well-travelled.

Giant statues of Ness from TV's Gavin and Stacey, rugby player Gethin Jenkins, singer Sir Tom Jones and rebel prince Owain Glyndwr in the Cardiff parade

"He was a man not afraid to reach out and create links overseas.

"There are lessons here for modern Wales. We too have to be outward-looking and reach out overseas."

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "From one of Europe's oldest living languages, a great literary tradition and incredible music, to world-class sport, mouth-watering cuisine and a thriving business environment - we can all take pride in such a rich culture and heritage.

"I'm pleased to be flying the Welsh flag over Downing Street today and to wish everyone Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus - a very happy St David's Day."

In his first St David's Day message as Welsh Secretary, David Jones MP said: "Every one of us who lives in Wales has, I believe, good reason to feel proud of our uniquely beautiful homeland.

"It has a rich and illustrious history and, with some hard work from us all, the promise of a better, more prosperous future."

Google joined in the celebration with a leek-carrying, daffodil-breathing dragon on its home page

In the capital on Friday a St David's Day parade from Cardiff's City Hall to outside St David's Hall, where people gathered sang the national anthem.

The event was part of a cultural festival organised by Cardiff council, the St David's Day Committee, the Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) and the Welsh National Opera, running until 2 March. The festival will feature street entertainment, as well as concerts at the WMC, and a St David's Day market at The Hayes.

Other St David's Day events were taking place across the country, including:

• In St Davids, Pembrokeshire, a series of celebrations include a "pilgrims' walk," culminating in an evening service at the cathedral.

• Wrexham and Colwyn Bay had parades, while in Merthyr Tydfil there was live music, dancing and stalls. A leek beer has been produced by Food North Wales and Conwy Brewery, which uses caramelised leeks "to create a light, sweet tasting ale".

• Aberglasney Gardens in Carmarthenshire held the 2013 Daffodil Festival, with over 350 varieties on show, including the "Katherine Jenkins" daffodil.

• In Aberystwyth, a St David's Day parade, Parêd Gwyl Dewi Aberystwyth, finished at Llys y Brenin, followed by a short ceremony.

• In London, the world's first narrow gauge steam engine, Princess, was unveiled after being restored by craftsmen on the Ffestiniog Railway, where she was used 150 years ago. The engine will remain on display in Paddington station for six weeks.