His Majesty King Charles III received a warm welcome in Cardiff today (Friday) during his first visit to Wales since ascending the throne.
King Charles, 73, is undertaking a tour of all UK nations before the Queen’s state funeral on Monday.
Joined by Queen Consort Camilla, the royal couple arrived at Llandaff Cathedral shortly before 11.30am, where they were met by cheering crowds and then observed a service of prayer and reflection.
To commemorate His Majesty King Charles III’s arrival in Wales, Welsh military units from across the Army, Navy and RAF marked the occasion with a Royal Gun Salute and ceremony.
Reservists from 104 Regiment Royal Artillery fired their 105mm light guns from a position inside Cardiff Castle, signalling The King’s helicopter arrival in Wales close to Llandaff Cathedral.
The King then moved to The Senedd in Cardiff Bay following the cathedral ceremony, where route liners made up of soldiers from 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, The Royal Welsh, as well as sailors from the Royal Navy and RAF personnel, were on hand to welcome the new Monarch and Queen Consort.
Trumpeters from The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh also performed a fanfare welcome.
The King addressed the Senedd, speaking in a mixture of Welsh and English saying he was “deeply grateful for the addresses of condolence” for the loss of his “beloved mother”.
He said Wales “could not have been closer to my mother’s heart”, and that she “took immense pride” in the country’s “many achievements”.
He added: “I take up my new duties with immense gratitude for the privilege of having been able to serve as Prince of Wales.”
At Cardiff Castle, The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh were in place to receive The King, as will Goat Major Sergeant Mark Jackson and Lance Corporal Shenkin IV, the Royal Welsh Regimental Goat.
Farrier Major Mark Holland and Lance Corporal Emrys Forlan Jones, the Regimental Welsh Mountain Pony from 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, and sixty Cadets from across Wales were also present.
The King is now heading back to London, leading a meeting of faith leaders in Buckingham Palace’s Bow Room.
