King Charles and Queen Camilla have visited Cardiff to officially open the seventh term of the Senedd, with the King using the occasion to praise Wales and its strong sense of community.
The royal couple arrived in the Welsh capital for the ceremonial opening, a tradition that marks the start of each new Senedd term following elections. It was a significant moment for Welsh democracy, and Charles made clear he was glad to be part of it.
In his address, the King spoke warmly about Wales and its people, highlighting what he described as a powerful sense of belonging that runs through Welsh culture and society. It was the kind of sentiment that went down well in the Senedd chamber, where newly elected and returning members had gathered for the occasion.
Charles has long had a personal connection to Wales. He was invested as Prince of Wales back in 1969 at Caernarfon Castle, and over the decades he built up a relationship with the country before ascending to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. This visit was another chapter in that ongoing connection, now as King rather than as heir to the throne.
The Senedd itself has grown considerably in this new term. The seventh Senedd is the largest in the institution’s history, with the number of Members of the Senedd expanding from 60 to 96 following reforms designed to give Wales a stronger and more representative parliament. That expansion made this particular opening ceremony feel more significant than most.
Cardiff was busy for the occasion, with crowds gathering to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors as they made their way through the city. The Welsh capital has hosted its fair share of royal visits over the years, but an event like this, tied directly to Welsh democratic life, carries its own distinct weight.
For many of the new MSs taking their seats for the first time, it was quite the introduction to life in the Senedd. Being welcomed into the chamber by the King on day one is not something you forget in a hurry.
The ceremony itself followed established tradition, with the formal state opening proceedings giving the new term an official stamp. It signals that the business of governing Wales can now get fully underway, with the expanded Senedd ready to take on the issues facing the country.
Charles spoke in a way that felt personal rather than purely ceremonial. His comments about belonging touched on something genuine about Welsh identity, the way communities across the country hold onto their culture, their language, and their shared history. It is the kind of thing that resonates in a place where national identity is taken seriously and celebrated openly.
Queen Camilla was also present throughout the visit, accompanying the King as they met with Senedd officials and members. The pair have carried out a number of visits to different parts of the UK since Charles became King, and Wales remains a country with which the royal family maintains close ties.
The Welsh Government and Senedd will now get down to the real work of the new term, tackling everything from the NHS and housing to education and the economy. But for one day at least, the focus was on the ceremony, the history, and what it means to have a functioning, growing Welsh parliament that continues to take on more responsibility for the lives of people across the nation.
With 96 members now sitting in the Senedd, Wales enters this new political chapter with more democratic representation than ever before. How that translates into real change for Welsh communities remains to be seen, but the seventh term is now officially open for business.