THE Welsh crown jewels are to go on long-term display in Carmarthenshire.

The Prince of Wales’ regalia, used at the investiture of Prince Charles at Caernarfon Castle in 1969 and known formally as the Honours of the Principality, have been given the Queen’s blessing to be displayed in Wales.

A coronet, a ring, a rod, a sword and a robe are among items to be shown at a new heritage centre in Llandovery.

Should the centre win its bid for Heritage Lottery Fund cash, the regalia will be moved from their current home at St James’ Palace in London to the Towy Valley town.

David Pugh, chief executive of Prime Cymru – the Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise in Wales – said it would boost west Wales.

“We have had the agreement of HM the Queen that, subject to us securing Heritage Lottery Funding, they will be on a long-term loan to Llandovery and will form the central part of the museum,” he said.

There will also be displays on the Welsh Princes and a focus on the drovers of Llandovery.

Mr Pugh, also chairman of the charity bidding for the funding, added: “They are the Welsh crown jewels and it would be the only place outside London where these sorts of things are on display.

“It would be for the whole of West Wales to have something of this significance in this part of the country.”

The Prince of Wales frequently holidays at Llwynywermod, his 192-acre property in Myddfai and this week the Prince, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, will spend the day in Llandovery as part of their summer tour.

A Clarence House spokeswoman said: “The investiture regalia for the current Prince of Wales is owned by the Royal Collection but it’s going to go on display at the new heritage centre in Llandovery which is being planned as part of the regeneration of Llandovery.

“The regalia will be there along with the Edward VIII’s investiture regalia.

“This was the Prince of Wales’s idea to help with the regeneration of Llandovery.”