King praises Welsh belonging at Senedd opening
Archive article. Published on Wed 23 Sept, 13:13. Conditions may have changed since this reporting.
The King has praised the strength of Welsh communities in his speech at the ceremonial opening of the Seventh Senedd in Cardiff on Thursday 15 October. The published address linked Wales’s identity to cynefin, describing a connection between people, place, culture and belonging. Charles also spoke about public service and the need to protect the country’s language, culture and landscape.
Aberfan visit planned
Charles said he would visit Aberfan next week with the Queen and Prince of Wales to mark the anniversary of the disaster. The speech acknowledged members of the Aberfan community in the chamber. The King also referred to the effect of summer heatwaves on the countryside and expressed concern about environmental change. These were remarks in a ceremonial address, rather than an announcement of Welsh Government policy.
The parliament behind the ceremony
The Senedd’s announcement identified the Llywydd, Huw Irranca-Davies, and First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth as the other scheduled speakers. The official programme put music and Welsh cultural performances at the centre of the event. The Seventh Senedd has 96 members, compared with 60 before the 2026 election. The new system elects six members in each of 16 constituencies. The ceremonial opening marks the new term; it does not mean parliamentary work waited until October to begin.
Update, 15 October
This article, first published on 23 September as an advance notice, has been updated with the King’s published speech. The original publication date is retained. The speech gives next week as the timing of the Aberfan visit; an exact day is not specified in that text.
Background and supporting figures
Where this sits
96 members compared with 60 before 2026 election.
16 constituencies elect six members each; ceremony is distinct from the parliament’s ongoing work.