King Charles and Queen Camilla open Welsh Parliament

King Charles and Queen Camilla were in Wales today to attend the ceremonial opening of the seventh Senedd in Cardiff.

Thursday marked the first time that King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the ceremonial opening of the Welsh Parliament. The previous opening, in October 2021, was attended by the late Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by Their Majesties when they were the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Although several protesters were in the crowds, a large number of people came out to welcome the King and Queen, who were greeted by two guard formations provided by the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Welsh, and 157 (Welsh) Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, as well as a Royal Navy Guard of Honour gave a Royal Salute.

The King and Queen were greeted by a civic line-up and spoke with the Llywydd (Speaker), Huw Irranca-Davies MS, and the First Minister of Wales, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS. Following a fanfare inside the Senedd, Their Majesties met the Party Leaders, the Chief Executive and Clerk of the Senedd, and the Deputy Presiding Officer.

Their Majesties were then led through the parliament building — officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on St. David’s Day in March 2006. As Their Majesties entered the Siambr (chamber) for the opening, Mared Pugh-Evans, the King’s Harpist, performed for those assembled.

The Llywydd gave opening remarks, followed by a speech from King Charles, who described Wales as a “most special corner of the Earth.” The First Minister also made remarks.

That endurance is true of community too. The Welsh people, from all communities and faiths, are rightly famed for the strength of their sense of belonging – and next week, together with The Queen and The Prince of Wales, I will be visiting Aberfan to commemorate the solemn anniversary of a tragedy that brought Wales to the attention, and to the hearts, of the entire world – for the most unbearable of reasons. I am enormously touched that people from the Aberfan community are with us today. There could be no finer witnesses to the strength of the Welsh – and the human – spirit.

The character and identity of Wales have always been built from the strength of its places and the relationships of trust, service and neighbourliness found within them – that distinctively Welsh idea of cynefin: the profound connection between place, people, culture and belonging. And I have always felt immensely privileged, and proud, to have had such a special connection with Wales – with its language, its culture and its landscape – for so much of my life.

So, as you take forward your task of government, we know you will bear always in mind, and will draw inspiration from, those shared strengths, as you work on behalf of the people of this most special corner of the Earth. —King Charles III’s address to the Welsh Parliament

Hanan Issa, National Poet of Wales, read a poem written for the occasion, before the Merched Plastaf Choir performed ‘O Gymru’ by Welsh composer Rhys Jones.

Concluding their visit to the Senedd, the King and Queen met with members of the Welsh Youth Parliament, Senedd Commissioners and Members of the Senedd, and representatives of community and youth organisations in the Cwrt.

Photo: Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament

Before departing, all in attendance shared a special moment when Their Majesties were presented with a posy by Noah Jones, the great-grandson of the caretaker of Pantglas Junior School in Aberfan, who saved many children’s lives during the disaster.