In Pictures: Zulu chief at parade

Chief Buthelezi took part in the St David's Day celebration of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh whose predecessors fought his ancestors.

They were among the 4,500 Zulus who fought 130 British soldiers at Rorke's Drift, South Africa in 1879.

He spent the day at the Wiltshire base of the battalion.

Chief Buthelezi is from a long line of Zulu royalty and played the part of his ancestor, King Cetywayo, in the classic 1964 film Zulu, about the Rorke's Drift stand-off.

"I played my great grandfather. The director had actually identified a radio announcer (to play the part) but when he saw me he said that he saw a family resemblance and persuaded me to take part as an extra," he said.

"I rubbed shoulders with Michael Caine and Jack Hawkins, I enjoyed it very much.

"The film makers took some licence with the story, but both my grandfather and great grandfather took part in the battle of Isandhwallah the day before Rorke's Drift."

During his visit he made a speech at the parade and presented the 600 men with miniature leeks for their berets.

He was also introduced to Taffy, the regimental goat at the Tidworth Camp celebrations.

The iconic stand by the British contingent at Rorke's Drift, later captured in the film starring Sir Stanley Baker and Michael Caine, won them the respect not only of the British public but also the thousands of Zulu opponents they managed to resist.

A unit of 139 soldiers defended Rorke's Drift against the Zulus

Over the years, a strong relationship has built up between the Welsh unit and the people of Rorke's Drift.

The soldiers of Rorke's Drift, a mission station in Natal, included B Company 2nd Battalion 24th Foot, who later became the South Wales Borderers, and then The Royal Regiment of Wales before forming the present Royal Welsh battalion two years ago.

A leek-eating competition was also included in the celebration of the Welsh saint which were held two days before the day itself, 1 March.

According to tradition, the 600 soldiers were woken with 'gunfire' - tea laced with rum - served by senior ranks and officers.

In keeping with the regimental custom, the youngest soldiers from each company took part in the leek eating contest before drinking a toast to Dewi Sant (St David).

An Army spokeswoman said: "The youngest members of each company stand up in front of everyone and have a race to see who can eat a raw leek the fastest - the winner's prize is bragging rights for the next year."

On Friday, Chief Buthelezi will continue his trip with a visit to the Welsh Army Barracks at Brecon in Powys.

As part of his visit he will also be given a guided tour of the "24 Room", a room dedicated to Rorke's Drift.

He will also visit the Royal Welsh Museum where Zulu Assegais spears, examples of fine beadwork worn by the Zulu warriors and the original Colours of the 24th Foot carried into the battle of Rorke's Drift, are on display.

Six of the 11 Victoria Crosses awarded for the defence of Rorke's Drift are also held there.