King Charles and Queen Camilla Open Welsh Parliament Amidst Protest and Aberfan Remembrance
The King and Queen attended the ceremonial opening of the Senedd in Cardiff, encountering a small protest while also engaging in a poignant meeting with an Aberfan disaster survivor.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were in Cardiff to attend the ceremonial opening of the Welsh Parliament, marking Charles's first time participating in the ceremony as monarch. As they arrived in Cardiff Bay, the couple encountered a small group of protestors carrying 'Not My King' placards. Despite the demonstration, the royal couple proceeded with their engagements.
During their visit, the King and Queen met with Gareth Jones, 66, a survivor of the Aberfan disaster. Jones, who was six years old when a colliery tip collapsed onto Pantglas Junior School 60 years ago, killing 144 people, shared an emotional moment with Charles. He showed the monarch a photograph of himself as a child with Prince Philip, taken the day after the tragedy. The King expressed concern and noted his recognition of Prince Philip in the photograph.
Jones recounted how the school caretaker, Stephen Andrew, saved his life by pushing him through a classroom window. Andrew's great-grandsons, Noah and Charlie Jones, presented a posy to the Queen. Noah Jones had previously met Gareth Jones by chance at his school, learning about the caretaker's heroism without realizing the connection.
The royal couple were also introduced to Len Moss, an off-duty nurse who aided in identifying victims at the Aberfan disaster site. This visit precedes a planned commemoration of the disaster on October 21, where Charles and Camilla will be joined by Prince William, exactly 60 years after the tragedy.
In his address to the Senedd, which he delivered in both English and Welsh, King Charles paid tribute to the people of Aberfan. He spoke of the strength of the Welsh spirit and expressed his deep emotion at having community members present. The King also referenced the Welsh football team's anthem, "Yma o Hyd," in his remarks about the newly expanded assembly.
While King Charles and Queen Camilla were in Cardiff, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly in Nottingham for their first joint public appearance in the UK since their return. The Daily Mail noted that the King and Queen appeared to disregard the noise from the protest and the separate engagements of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.