From Star Wars fame to The Crown ...the people being invested into the Gorsedd of Bards 2025

AN actor who has appeared in The Crown and one of the Star Wars movies and a journalist who has interviewed President Donald Trump are among a host of people to be honoured by the Gorsedd of Bards at this year's National Eisteddfod.

- By ERYL CRUMP

The leader of Plaid Cymru, an international footballer, two prominent broadcasters and several long serving Eisteddfod volunteers will also be invested during a colourful ceremony to be held on the Eisteddfod Maes on the outskirts of Wrexham in August.

Originally from Rhosllannerchrugog, Mark Lewis Jones, played the lecturer who schooled Prince Charles in the Welsh language in the Crown and Captain Moden Canady in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

He has also appeared in series such as 'Un Bore Mercher, 'Dal y Mellt, and 'Game of Thrones.' Recently he has been a prominent part of projects to remember 90 years since the Gresfordd Disaster, which is part of the area's mining history. As well as being honoured by the Gorsedd, he is the Honorary President of the Eisteddfod this year.

Maxine Hughes is now a familiar name and face to many, not only for her journalistic work, but also for her role as 'official translator' for the owners of Wrexham football club, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Originally from Conwy, she now lives and works in Washington DC, following a spell with the BBC and an international English news channel in Turkey.

She tries to support Welsh journalism as much as possible and has held sessions on journalism for the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. As well as receiving the honour of the Gorsedd, she will also lead the Wales and the World at the Eisteddfod in Wrexham this year.