After a historic Senedd opening, Charles and Camilla have departed the building. They shook hands with the fans waiting outside as choristers sang a beautiful Welsh hymn in the background.
When the royal car pulled up for the couple, Wales bid them a sweet goodbye by playing 'God Save the King' and the Welsh national anthem, 'Hen Wlad fy Nhadau'.
Gareth Jones, who was only six years old when he survived Aberfan, brought along a bittersweet picture to show the King. It was a photograph of his father meeting him and his sister a day after the tragedy. "It's amazing for me to come here today and represent the people of Aberfan and show him this picture," Jones said.
Before leaving the historic Senedd opening, Charles and Camilla met with local community leaders and representatives of the Welsh Youth Parliament’s partner organisations.
To mark the 60th anniversary of the horrific Aberfan disaster, the royal couple met Noah Jones, a young boy whose great-grandfather, Stephen Andrew, had helped save many children during the disaster. Jones presented them with flowers. Aberfan survivor Gareth Jones, whose life was saved by Andrew, was also part of the meeting.
Charles and Camilla, along with Prince William, will return to Wales next week to pay tribute at the Aberfan memorial garden on the exact day the tragedy occurred.
Queen Camilla has a penchant for wearing symbolic brooches. She kept up her tradition for the Senedd opening as well. The Queen Consort wore a brooch in the shape of a leek, which is a Welsh national symbol.
The King mentioned Dafydd Iwan's song 'Yma o Hyd,' meaning 'we are still here,' in his speech as a nod to the existing members of the parliament.
However, the protesters began singing the same folk song as Charles and Camilla entered the Senedd, and the guards left the Senedd steps to highlight their enduring dissent against the monarchy.
It was the first Senedd opening since it expanded to 96 members, and King Charles took note of that in his first speech as Head of State. He said that there were many new faces as well as familiar ones who might say 'Yma o Hyd' - a reference to the Dafydd Iwan song which means 'We're still here'.
He voiced his concerns about the environment and the heatwaves. The King also praised the Welsh people's "sense of belonging" and stated that he would be visiting Aberfan next week. He further mentioned that he was enormously touched by the presence of the people from the community
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in style. For the historic opening, Charles wore a dark blue blazer, while Camilla stunned in a bright red ensemble. The pair arrived alongside a Royal Navy Guard of Honor and regional leaders.
Charles' arrival at the Senedd will not be without a slice of drama. Hours before the opening, Republicans urged Senedd members to stage a walkout during the monarch's speech. Claiming that a King's presence at an event celebrating democratic governance wasn't appropriate, they have also called on elected members to publicly condemn the Welsh Government’s decision to invite Charles. The activists have seemingly taken this opportunity to once again ask for the abolition of the monarchy.
It is King Charles' first ceremonial Senedd opening as Head of State. He will make a speech in Siambr, the debating chamber, alongside Senedd Llywydd (Presiding Officer) Huw Irranca-Davies MS and First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth MS.
The King and Queen are expected to arrive around noon.
Senedd means 'senate' or 'parliament' in Welsh. So, the ceremonial opening is an event held after the Senedd election, when the current Head of State visits the Welsh Parliament. This year marks the opening of the seventh Senedd and the first time since it was expanded to 96 members. The Senedd building in Cardiff Bay will host the ceremony.
As the reigning Head of State, King Charles will attend it along with Queen Camilla.
Ira Deokule
