King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William Meet Aberfan Survivors on 60th Anniversary
The King, in his speech, commended the resilience and strength of the Aberfan community amidst adversity.
King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William marked the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan tragedy with prayers and silence as they joined the community in remembrance of the 144 individuals, including 116 children aged 7 to 10, who died when waste from a coal mine dump slid down a hillside and engulfed a school in 1966.
In a rare joint appearance, Their Majesties and Prince William honored the victims of the Aberfan disaster at the Aberfan Memorial Garden, where 109 children and 5 teachers lost their lives. Queen Elizabeth opened the garden in 1974 during her visits to the Welsh village after the tragedy. The royals led a service in the memorial garden. The King placed a wreath, followed by the Queen with a bouquet.
The Prince of Wales then laid his wreath, reflecting on the loss of young lives, with a note signed by him and the Princess of Wales that read, “In our memory and in our hearts forever.” Afterward, they made a solemn walk to the Aberfan & Merthyr Vale Community Center, meeting residents and hearing from survivors affected by the tragedy. According to PEOPLE!, William arrived first. In 2023, he made a poignant visit to the site with Kate Middleton. Today, he returned with his father and unveiled a memorial tree at the Ysgol Gynradd Cymunedol Ynysowen Community Primary School.
William and Their Majesties then visited the Aberfan Community Center, where they met survivors, bereaved parents, and former pupils affected by the tragedy. They learned about the Aberfan Wives support group, which aids mothers who lost children.
They also met retired emergency service members, including a 96-year-old former policewoman, and representatives from the police, fire service, St. John Ambulance, and the British Red Cross, all of whom responded during the immediate aftermath of the coal tip collapse. The Ynysowen Male Voice Choir, formed after the disaster to support local men, performed at the reception. Jeff Edwards, a survivor from Pantglas School, briefly spoke before inviting King Charles to address the gathering.
In his speech, the King expressed solidarity with the Aberfan community, acknowledging their enduring pain and remembrance of past tragedies. He commended their resilience and strength amidst adversity, emphasizing the ongoing spirit that shines through their suffering.
Paul Harries, a survivor of the Aberfan disaster, thanked the royal family for the visit, noting the importance of paying respects: “It’s lovely that they are here,” he said. The late Queen Elizabeth faced criticism for her delayed visit to Aberfan after the disaster, which she later deemed a significant mistake, prompting her to visit more often in subsequent years.
