The Queen has been barred – as a Welsh bard.

Because she doesn’t speak Welsh she’s no longer an ovate in the Gorsedd of the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

This has been stated in an ITV Wales interview at the National Eisteddfod at Llanrwst.

Speaking in Welsh the present Archdruid, Myrddin ap Dafydd, described it as “ex-communication”.

“There was a time when many in Wales thought the royal family promoted Welshness but we know by now this doesn't work," declared the Archdruid, a poet and publisher.

He explained: "According to the Orsedd’s solicitor she excommunicated herself in 2006 when it was made clear you had to speak Welsh to be a member of the Orsedd."

The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, was made a green-robed ovate at the Mountain Ash Eisteddfod in 1946. An ancient sword was passed over her head and there was huge applause. Her bardic name was “Elisabeth o Windsor”.

A former Welsh Secretary has attacked the “ex-communication”.

David Jones, MP for Clwyd West, said: “It must have been perfectly obvious to Mr ap Dafydd’s predecessors that the Queen was not a Welsh speaker when they honoured her as an ovate in 1946. No doubt they sensibly recognised her as a unifying national figure who is above politics. She subsequently ensured that the Prince of Wales attended a Welsh university and obtained an understanding of the Welsh language.

“It is a shame that Mr ap Dafydd should now be presiding over what looks very much like an unnecessary political move, which will disappoint the thousands of people who attend the Eisteddfod as a joyous cultural event that brings people together, rather than divides them.

“It is interesting to note that Her Majesty is also patron of An Comunn Gàidhealach, which organises the Scottish Royal National Mòd, the Gaelic equivalent of the Eisteddfod, despite the fact that she does not speak the Gaelic language.”

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said they would not comment about the Archdruid’s remarks.