Eleven year old Osian Powell beamed with pride as he met Their Majesties The King Charles III and The Queen Consort at the Senedd on Friday 16th September, 2022.
Osian presented Their Majesties with a Posy of locally grown flowers during what was the Royal Couple’s first visit to Wales since the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He was joined by his classmates from local Cardiff school, Ysgol Gymraeg Hamadryad, who gathered to greet Their Majesties in the Cardiff Bay sunshine.
Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama harpists, a former Royal Harpist and a ceremonial Mace-bearer from the Senedd security team, also played their part in the day.
Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort attended the Senedd today to receive a Motion of Condolence from Members of the Senedd. The visit was part of a day of Royal engagements in the Capital, which also included a Service of Reflection at Llandaff Cathedral and a reception at Cardiff Castle.
Welsh Youth Parliament
Twelve Welsh Youth Parliament Members had the opportunity to explain to Their Majesties about their work and priorities representing the voices Wales’ young people.
Tegan Skyrme from Pembrokeshire, who is visually impaired, was proud to tell His Majesty The King about her role as the Member representing Learning Disability Wales:
“His Majesty asked me about the Welsh Youth Parliament - how we were elected, who I represent and the work we do - and about my work with Learning Disability Wales working to make sure support is in place. He asked if it was, and I was honest to say that there’s a long way to go but we are moving forward in the right direction. It’s nice that he took an interest and really wanted to know what we were about.
“The King was talkative and he put all of us at ease. It was a huge honour to be selected to attend such a momentous occasion in history.”
Mace-bearer’s pride on historic occasion
Shahzad Khan, Senedd security officer, took on the duties of Mace-bearer for a second time as he led the Royal procession and delivered the ceremonial mace into the Siambr.
Shahzad, also performed the unique duty during Her Majesty The Queen’s final visit to Wales at the Official Opening of the 6th Senedd in October 2021. He has worked as a security officer for 4 years is full of pride at playing a key role in the historic occasion.
Shazhad Khan, Mace-bearer and Senedd security officer, said: “I was very honoured to be the Mace-bearer when The Queen visited the Senedd last year and I was lost for words when I was asked to do it again. Being the Mace-bearer this time is in very sad circumstances, but I’m proud of my role in this historic moment.”
Harpists
Three accomplished Welsh harpists performed in the Senedd, as the Royal Party met with guests and Member of the Senedd.
Former Royal Harpist, Claire Jones, performed an original piece composed especially for the occasion. The piece, Gorymdaith i’r Brenin Charles (Procession for King Charles), was composed by her husband, the renowned composer Chris Marshall.
Music was also provided by Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama harpists, Cerys Rees and Nia Evans.
Senedd gives its condolence
His Majesty The King attended the Senedd on Friday, 16 September, to receive a Motion of Condolence by Members of the Senedd. The Motion was given by The First Minister, Mark Drakeford MS, and The King gave his reply, speaking in both Welsh and English.
The Llywydd of the Senedd, Rt Hon. Elin Jones MS opened proceedings in the parliament’s debating chamber. She paid tribute to Her Majesty The Queen and recalled her fondness of the Pembrokeshire breed of Corgi, as well as her continued interested in devolution and the development of the Senedd:
“Her Majesty The Queen was with us in 1999 for the opening of our first fledgling Assembly. She has shared our journey of devolution. She partook in each of our 6 openings, commenting each time on the development of our powers and in becoming a ‘national parliament’ Senedd Cymru.
“It is my sincere hope that the modern relationship between this Senedd, this country and the Royal Family will be rooted in respect and sustained by understanding.”
The ceremony at the Senedd was just one part of the Royal’s visit to the Capital. Prior to the Senedd, Their Majesties attended a service of Condolence and Remembrance at Llandaff Cathedral and then held an audience at Cardiff Castle.