King Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting Wales today, travelling to Cardiff Bay to formally open the seventh Senedd. The King has attended every opening of the Senedd, including the first in 1999, as the former Prince of Wales, but this will be his first as King.
While The King has previously attended the Senedd since his accession, this is the first time he will formally preside over the event. In September, after his mother's death, he visited the Senedd, along with Llandaff Cathedral and Cardiff Castle.
Aberfan commemoration
To mark the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, they will meet Noah Jones, a pupil at Troedyrhiw Community Primary School in Merthyr Tydfil, and his family. Noah’s great-grandfather, Stephen Andrew, helped save many children during the disaster.
Joining Noah is Gareth Jones, an Aberfan survivor whose life was saved by Mr Andrew, and Len Moss, who was part of the Aberfan rescue team.
Ceremony details
The formal proceedings will begin with all Senedd members entering the chamber, led by the mace-bearer, two Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament, and escorted by the Welsh Guards Corps of Drums.
Delyth Lewis, a member of Senedd Commission staff since 2002, will carry the mace, escorted by the deputy mace-bearer Lukas Santos Evans, and two Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament: Ffiôn-Hâf Scott and Aryan Gupta.
Speeches and music
There will be speeches by The King and First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth. Music will be provided by Côr Merched Plastaf, who will perform O Gymru by Welsh composer Rhys Jones, and Royal Harpist, Mared Emyr Pugh-Evans.
Ahead of the opening, the Llywydd said: "This ceremony marks the start of a new chapter in the Senedd’s history. It is a larger parliament, elected through a new electoral system designed to better reflect the diversity of views and experiences across our country."
"We are honoured that Their Majesties The King and Queen are here to share this moment with us. We will use this moment to celebrate the people, communities and culture of Wales and remind ourselves of the aspirations of those who put their trust in us to serve them in this seventh Senedd term."
