On Thursday (2nd March), Joel James MS had the honour of celebrating the patron saint of Wales with Jane Hartley – the US Ambassador to the UK.
As part of the US embassy’s week-long celebrations in London, the Ambassador held a reception in her private residence – Winfield House, to celebrate Welsh history, culture and traditions. The reception presented an opportunity to reflect on the bonds that link Wales and the United States together.
During the well-attended reception, Joel had the chance to meet Jane Hartley and discuss the importance of maintaining a positive relationship between the two nations. Joel and Jane also enjoyed a conversation about the historical ties that bind Wales and the United States from the role the Welsh played in America’s founding to the present day.
Speaking after the reception, Joel said:
“I must admit, I don’t think in my wildest dreams I could have imagined myself being invited to Winfield House and meeting the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
It was fantastic to be able to talk to the Ambassador about the importance of our relationship with our most important ally. It was even better to be able to celebrate the recent bilateral trade developments, with Welsh lamb being exported to the US for the first time since 1989.
It was a true honour to be invited here and celebrate St. David’s Day with people from all over Wales and the United States and I am confident the Welsh-US relationship will continue to grow.”
