Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visit Ystrad Mynach

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh have arrived this morning in Ystrad Mynach.

The Royal couple are visiting wrapping paper company International Greetings UK Limited, based on Penallta Industrial Estate.

Crowds of residents and schoolchildren have gathered to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty – many with Welsh and Union flags.

Lance Burn, Managing Director, International Greetings UK Ltd, said: “We are extremely privileged and overjoyed that Her Majesty the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will visit us to officially open and unveil our new printing press facility at our UK Manufacturing operation in Ystrad Mynach, Wales on April 30, 2014.

“At International Greetings UK Ltd, we manufacture over 450 million meters of wrapping paper a year, of which 35% is exported worldwide. This major development project involved the Company investing over £8 million in two state-of-the-art printing presses within a new factory. The investment will protect the long term viability of our business and importantly, the local employment it provides.

“Our Tom Smith brand was granted a Royal Warrant in 1906 for the supply of Christmas Crackers, which are designed at our factory in Wales, and since 2013 we also now proudly hold the honour of producing Christmas Wrapping Paper for the Royal Household.

“This will be an historic day for all staff and a positive boost to the local area and community.”

Council leader Harry Andrews said: “We are just delighted and today is a great occasion for the whole of the Caerphilly County Borough.

“It is great that Her Majesty has found the time to come and join in the celebrations of International Greetings.”

The Royal Couple will also visit Llantwit Major later today.

Yesterday they visited Prince’s Gate Spring Water, in Narberth, Picton Castle, Haverfordwest, and Royal Dockyard Chapel, in Pembroke Dock.