Royal meeting for Wales team In Pictures: Grand Slam party

The pubs were packed, the streets of Cardiff buzzing with red-shirted supporters and Wales' Grand Slam heroes were all on the hallowed turf.

There was even a royal presence to witness a new milestone in the resurgence of Welsh rugby.

But there was no referee, opposition or even a ball for this Millennium Stadium occasion, just 20,000 fans on hand to say thank you to the players for Wales' first Grand Slam since 1978.

The celebration was billed as an opportunity for fans who were unable to attend Wales' march to the Six Nations title to come along and see the players being presented with the trophy by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

'Bit embarrassed'

There had been calls for the team to take part in an open-top bus tour around Cardiff and Wales, but the players themselves had quashed the idea, fearing it would provoke comparisons with World Cup winning England's triumphant tour of central London in 2003.

Shane Williams said the event was held to thank the supporters

Martyn Williams, named Wales' player of the Six Nations, said the slightly more low-key celebrations at the stadium had been welcomed by the squad.

He added: "I think the boys would have been a bit embarrassed by an open-top bus tour - it should be for World Cup winners only."

But any plans the players may have harboured for muted celebrations were spoiled by an enthusiastic crowd containing thousands of young supporters, many of whom were seeing their heroes in the flesh for the first time - albeit wearing suits rather than the red shirts of Wales.

Footage of Gavin Henson's match winning kick against England on the stadium screens was greeted as enthusiastically as at the match itself, while players' interviews on the pitch were frequently interrupted by cheers from the stands.

The Nelson family said they enjoyed the atmosphere in the stadium

The Wales players and coaches said the day had been about thanking the Welsh supporters for their contribution to the team's success.

Thousands had travelled to away games in France and Italy and an estimated 40,000 converged on Edinburgh in March as Wales' pursuit of Grand Slam glory gathered pace.

Coach Mike Ruddock told BBC Wales: "As much as we enjoyed the whole Six Nations, it's nice to be here to thank the fans for their contribution.

"We are an unique country, we love our rugby and we are proud of our team."

Winger Shane Williams added: "The supporters have been with us through thick and thin and it's nice to pay them back."

'Great team'

For the presentation of the Six Nations trophy by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the cup was delivered to the pitch by a soldier from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who abseiled from the stadium roof.

Stuart Watkins and daughters were at the stadium for the event

The royal couple, on their first official engagement in Wales since their wedding last month, presented the trophy to the squad's two captains, Gareth Thomas and Michael Owen.

Thomas, who made his Wales debut in 1995 and had suffered some of the national side's most success-starved years, said: "I've seen the good bits and the bad bits (of Welsh rugby) but nothing can compare to today.

"But after today, we need to draw a line under it.

"It takes a great team to win a Grand Slam but a greater team to defend it."

Charles and Camilla joined the crowd in a rendition of the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, before leaving the pitch to a firework display under the closed roof and one final lap of honour by the players.

Families in the crowd who had travelled to Cardiff to celebrate the Grand Slam said the event had provided younger supporters with the chance to see their heroes.

Jeremy Hurley, from Tonmawr, near Neath, who came with wife Karen and children Nicholas, seven, and Corey, aged one, said: "The children didn't get the chance to go to the games, so this was an opportunity to get to see the team.

The Hurley family said the event was a good chance to see the players

"It was well worth coming - they enjoyed it."

Steve Nelson, who travelled from Swansea with wife Linda and sons Daniel, 10 and Matthew, seven, added: "It was a great atmosphere and it was good to be there.

"The price of rugby tickets, we wouldn't get here normally."

Stuart Watkins, who came from Rhydyfelin, near Pontypridd, with daughters Lauren ,10 and Amy, four, said: "Lauren plays rugby, so she was really interested in the whole Grand Slam and she loved it today.