The Ceremonial Opening – What happens on the day?

The Ceremonial Opening of the Seventh Senedd will be held on Thursday 15 October 2026. Their Majesties The King and Queen will visit the Senedd to mark the formal opening of a new term.

The event is not only a celebration of the Senedd, but also of the people and communities of Wales whose voices, experiences and aspirations are represented within its walls.

Let’s take a closer look at what will happen on the day.

The arrival of the mace

Like many parliaments, the Senedd has a ceremonial mace. The Senedd’s mace is a decorated staff made of metal and is used during formal events.

At the Ceremonial Opening, the mace will be carried by a mace-bearer who will lead Members of the Senedd (MSs) through the Senedd building into the Siambr (the debating chamber). The mace-bearer will be accompanied by Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament.

The arrival of Their Majesties

Their Majesties The King and Queen will arrive at the Senedd, where they will be greeted by the Llywydd (Presiding Officer) of the Senedd, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, and The First Minister, Rhun Ap Iorwerth MS,

The ceremony

During the ceremony in the Siambr, the mace will be placed in its sconce to signify the opening of the Seventh Senedd.

The Llywydd will welcome MSs and guests. This will be followed by an address from His Majesty The King. The First Minister will respond to His Majesty’s speech.

Performances in the Siambr

Côr Merched Plastaf, winners of the prestigious Golden Voices Montserrat Grand Prix earlier this year, will perform ‘O Gymru’ by Welsh composer Rhys Jones. 

The Royal Harpist, Mared Emyr Pugh-Evans, will provide the musical accompaniment to the ceremony. 

Departure of Their Majesties from the Senedd

Before leaving the Senedd, Their Majesties will meet local community groups and representatives from the Welsh Youth Parliament’s partner organisations.

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, Their Majesties 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 Noah’s great-grandfather, and Len Moss who was part of the Aberfan rescue team. 

As Their Majesties depart the Senedd, members of Wales YFC Choir will perform ‘Fel hyn da ni fod’, which they recorded earlier this year to celebrate the organisation’s 90th anniversary.  

FAQs

What is a Ceremonial Opening?

The Ceremonial Opening of the Senedd is an event held after a Senedd election, when the current Head of State visits the Welsh Parliament. It includes addresses by the Llywydd (the Senedd’s Presiding Officer), the First Minister, and the monarch. You can find all the key details in our blog ‘What is the Ceremonial Opening of the Senedd?’

Can I visit the Senedd on the day of the Ceremonial Opening?

The Senedd and Pierhead buildings will be closed on 15 October 2026, but you are welcome to gather outside the Senedd to watch and be part of this special event. Their Majesties are expected at Cardiff Bay around lunchtime.

Can I watch the ceremony?

Yes. The ceremony will be available to watch live on Senedd TV and YouTube.

Who is the Llywydd and what is their role?

Huw Irranca-Davies MS is the Llywydd (Presiding Officer) of the Welsh Parliament.

The role of the Llywydd is similar to the roles of Speakers and Presiding Officers in parliaments across the world. Though the exact responsibilities of the job vary from country to country, and they may have different titles, the roles are broadly alike.

The Llywydd is responsible for making sure the Senedd runs fairly and effectively. They chair Plenary meetings, manage debates and make sure all Members are treated equally.

Find out more about the role of the Llywydd.

Where can I find more information about the Senedd?

If you want to find out who your Members are, how the Senedd works, and ways to get involved, visit our Explore page.