Prince Charles enjoyed a joke with college students

The prince was visiting the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama after attending the opening of the Welsh assembly's new debating chamber.

Charles asked fight teacher Kevin McCurdy how fake punches are thrown before attempting one himself.

In a later speech he joked he had talked to the leek on his lapel.

Speaking at the new Welsh assembly Senedd building, he also referred to a visit to Llanddewi Brefi, made famous in the hit BBC comedy Little Britain.

What the famously sober saint would have said of Llanddewi's further immortalisation in a certain television programme I do not know Prince Charles

The prince said: "I know the celebration of St David's memory is instilled into the children of Wales from their schooldays.

"From their earliest years, they wear their daffodils and leeks with pride on March 1, and celebrate in song and verse in their school.

"Look at mine. Specially from my garden and carefully talked to!"

The Prince also spoke about Llanddewi Brefi, home to the fictional character Dafydd - 'the only gay in the village'.

Kevin McCurdy taught Charles how to throw a punch

He said: "My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Llanddewi Brefi, a village immortalised...by St David's preaching.

"What the famously sober saint would have said of Llanddewi's further immortalisation in a certain television programme I do not know.

"What I do know is that the local constabulary would welcome the return of the village road sign, which from time to time seems to walk away - some memento!"

He added: "It is always a pleasure to be in Wales on St David's Day, particularly when Wales's great artistic and cultural traditions are celebrated."

Earlier in the day, Prince Charles' attempted punch came after a demonstration by drama teacher Kevin McCurdy at the Welsh College of Music and Drama - of which Charles is a patron.

Mr McCurdy said: "He had always wondered how to do the punches and how the illusion works and so I got him to demonstrate a punch on me, which was fun.

Prince Charles and the Duchess visited the village last July

"I just showed him how to do it. He's got a good right hand on him, fair play. I showed him what to do and I said: 'Go for it'."

Prince Charles also saw two young actors who performed a sketch about meeting him.

Lecturer Antonia Collins said: "He was very nice and very interested. It's lovely to have our patron here."

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall joined the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh earlier in the day to attend the opening of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.