King and Queen to attend Senedd opening on 15 October
The King and Queen will attend the ceremonial opening of the Seventh Senedd on Thursday 15 October. The Senedd has invited people to gather outside the building in Cardiff Bay, where the royal couple are expected around lunchtime.
Speeches and music
The King will address the Siambr, the debating chamber. Llywydd Huw Irranca-Davies and First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth are also due to speak. The ceremony will include musical performances and bring together people and communities from across Wales. An exact arrival time and the full programme have not yet been published in the announcement.
A ceremony for a parliament already at work
The event is a ceremonial opening, rather than the start of parliamentary business. The new Senedd’s first meeting was scheduled for 12 May, following the election on 7 May. This is the first Senedd elected with 96 members, compared with 60 previously. The new electoral map has 16 constituencies, each represented by six members, replacing the previous constituency-and-region system.
Background and supporting figures
Where this sits
Seventh Senedd has 96 members compared with 60 before May 2026.
16 six-member constituencies replace the previous 40 constituency seats and five regions.