Summary

  • The King and Queen have visited the Senedd to mark the 25th anniversary of devolution in Wales

  • It was the King's first visit to the Senedd since his tour of the UK after his investiture

  • In a speech using Welsh and English, the King talked of his love for Wales

  • The royal pair received a guard of honour from the Royal Welsh before they were greeted by primary school children from across Wales

  • The Welsh Parliament will expand from 60 to 96 members at the 2026 election

  1. That's it for todaypublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 11 July

    We are at the end of our live page so let's have a recap of today.

    • The King and Queen visited the Senedd to mark the 25th anniversary of devolution in Wales
    • The royal pair received a guard of honour from the Royal Welsh before they were greeted by primary school children from across Wales
    • Senedd members addressed King Charles and Queen Camilla and they also met staff
    • In a speech using Welsh and English, the King talked of his love for Wales

    Thanks for staying with us today. If you want to read more about the King and Queen's visit, click here.

  2. From rough sleeping to advising royaltypublished at 13:53 British Summer Time 11 July

    Sabrina Cohen-HattonImage source, Kensington Palace
    Image caption,

    Sabrina Cohen-Hatton has turned her life around after rough sleeping as a teenager

    In other royal-related Welsh news today, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton has gone from rough sleeping in Newport as a teenager to visiting the Prince of Wales in Windsor Castle to give him advice on tackling homelessness.

    She was able to give her own story to Prince William as proof that homeless people should not be "written off".

    "I sit in front of you now with a job, a home, a family and a PhD," said Sabrina, who works as a fire service chief.

    Prince William will mark the first year of his Homewards project with a visit to Lambeth in south London on Thursday where he will say: "It is possible to end homelessness."

    The project helps in six areas across the UK, including Newport.

  3. In pictures: More highlights of the daypublished at 13:48 British Summer Time 11 July

    King Charles speaking in the SeneddImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    King Charles speaking in the Senedd

    Vaughan Gething speaking in the SeneddImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Vaughan Gething speaking in the Senedd

    King Charles greets Senedd staff membersImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    King Charles greets Senedd staff members

  4. Key dates of Welsh devolutionpublished at 13:41 British Summer Time 11 July

    Lowri Lewis
    BBC News

    Owain GlyndwrImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Owain Glyndwr was reputedly crowned prince of Wales at a parliament in Machynlleth

    The story of self-rule in Wales goes back as far as the early 15th Century when Owain Glyndwr is said to have held a parliament at Machynlleth during his rebellion against the rule of Henry IV.

    The people of Wales said no to devolution in 1979 but said yes in '97 - and some powers were officially handed over in final year of the 20th Century. Here's a brief timeline:

    1 May 1997: Tony Blair's Labour government sweeps to power in a landslide general election victory with a manifesto promise to devolve power to Wales and Scotland subject to public approval in referendums

    18 September 1997: People in Wales narrowly vote yes for an assembly in a referendum

    6 May 1999: The first assembly election, to choose 40 constituency assembly members and 20 regional list members, is held. The winners are announced the following day

    26 May 1999: The Queen and the Prince of Wales officially open the new assembly

    3 March 2011: The Welsh Assembly gets more authority as gets direct law-making powers in areas like health and education after winning a referendum

    31 January 2017: Tax-raising powers including a slice of your income tax and extra powers over transport, energy and electoral arrangements receives Royal Assent in The Wales Bill

    For a more detailed chronology, check this link out.

  5. Highlights as the King and Queen leavepublished at 13:35 British Summer Time 11 July

    King Charles waves at a crowd of people who visited the SeneddImage source, Reuters
    Queen meets a young girl who presents her with flowersImage source, PA Media
    A picture of a crowd taking picture of the King and QueenImage source, Reuters
  6. Excited crowds at Seneddpublished at 13:25 British Summer Time 11 July

    A group of children wearing purple, red and green t-shirtsImage source, PA Media
    A group of schoolchildren line the barrier holding Welsh flagsImage source, PA Media
    King Charles and Queen Camilla wave as they walk into the SeneddImage source, Reuters
  7. Not always the warmest Welsh welcomepublished at 13:18 British Summer Time 11 July

    King Charles was greeted by the beautiful singing of a children’s choir – but the royals haven’t always received the warmest Welsh welcome.

    Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Aberystwyth was stopped in May 1996 when hundreds of university students gathered outside Pantycelyn Hall to oppose an invitation to open an extension to the National Library.

    The protesters thought someone from Wales, perhaps an author or other cultural figure, should have been opening the extension.

    As the Queen's car approached the crowds, there were both boos and chants of God Save the Queen.

    Two men jumped a barrier and one tried to run in front of the monarch's car, which swerved.

    As the car passed the Queen continued waving to the crowd.

    After opening the extension, on the advice of her security officers the Queen did not proceed to the second part of her visit to open a new glaciology centre on the university campus.

    Seven people were arrested for their part in the protest.

    Read more here.

  8. Children had surprise visit by the Prime Ministerpublished at 13:10 British Summer Time 11 July

    Media caption,

    Prime minister surprises children's choir practice

    The pupils who performed for King Charles III and Queen Camilla today were rehearsing in the Senedd earlier this week when new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stopped by to listen.

    Sir Keir was on a tour of the Welsh parliament with First Minister Vaughan Gething when he heard the students from Ysgol Treganna in Cardiff practising, telling them they had been “fantastic”.

    Filmed by Andy Davies / Channel 4 News and edited by Pia Harold

  9. 'A lovely day' says young royal fanpublished at 13:04 British Summer Time 11 July

    Oliver Slow
    BBC Journalist in Cardiff Bay

    Alessandro Migliorati came down to the Bay with his daughter Isabella

    Alessandro Migliorati came down today with his daughter Isabella, who describes herself as an ardent royalist.

    She's seen the King a few times already this year - including at the D Day commemorations in Normandy.

    Today she got to see the King and Queen up close, describing it as "really nice to see".

    "I love the history of it," she says.

    Alessandro said he enjoyed the atmosphere of the day.

    "We're down the Bay and its a lovely day."

  10. The King and Queen wave goodbyepublished at 12:56 British Summer Time 11 July

    There we have it, the King and Queen have left Cardiff Bay.

    They waved goodbye to the crowds as their car drove away.

    Royal couple drive away
  11. Protesters at the Seneddpublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 11 July

    Lucy Vladev
    BBC Journalist in Cardiff Bay

    Protestors outside the Senedd building behind a crowd of people as the King greets them

    A few protesters gathered outside as the King left and walked to meet the crowds.

    Generally, though, most are happy to be here, cheering and waving flags.

  12. King mingles with crowdpublished at 12:49 British Summer Time 11 July

    King mingling with crowd of school children

    The King and Queen spent a few minutes speaking with the crowd, mainly with a group of schoolchildren at the front.

    The pair waved as they walked towards the car, and a loud cheer went up as they drove away.

  13. King Charles and Queen Camilla leavepublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 11 July

    The King and Queen are now leaving the Senedd.

    A posy was presented to the Queen by 10-year-old Celyn Matthews Williams, Covid Community Champion.

    Pantasia Steel Pans played as the King and Queen exited the Senedd.

  14. Yma o hyd is not enoughpublished at 12:45 British Summer Time 11 July

    Daniel Davies
    BBC Wales political correspondent

    In his speech earlier, First Minister Vaughan Gething used a line he delivered when accepting the Welsh Labour leadership.

    “Yma o hyd is not enough,” he said, borrowing the title of Dafydd Iwan’s anthemic song about the age-old resilience of Welsh people.

    “Beth nesaf? (What next?) The future and what is next must always be our mission.”

    What comes next may well test his resilience as a leader.

    Without a majority and without the confidence of the Senedd Mr Gething faces political dilemmas as profound as any we’ve seen in 25 years of devolution.

    Vaughan GethingImage source, Senedd.tv
  15. Watch the King address the Senedd in Welshpublished at 12:40 British Summer Time 11 July

    Media caption,

    King Charles speaks Welsh at Senedd

    Watch King Charles III opening his speech in the Senedd chamber by addressing MSs in Welsh.

  16. King Charles and Queen meet Senedd staffpublished at 12:35 British Summer Time 11 July

    King Charles walks down the entrance of the Senedd building while two lines of people watch himImage source, PA Media

    King Charles and Queen Camilla are now meeting Senedd staff members who have worked in the Senedd for 25 years, or are themselves 25 years old.

    Any Body Can Choir performs the song ‘Pawb i Ganu’n Un’ as they King and Queen arrive in the Neuadd.

    They will meet guests including people who have contributed to key moments in the Senedd’s history.

  17. 'How much do you get paid?" ask childrenpublished at 12:32 British Summer Time 11 July

    As the crowd waits outside, a group of school children chat playfully with the security.

    "How much do you get paid?" one asks.

    "Enough," the security guard responds, laughing.

  18. Royal couple chat to Senedd memberspublished at 12:27 British Summer Time 11 July

    The Royal couple, with Vaughan Gething chatting to Queen Camilla and the King chatting to Elin Jones, as they make their way through the Senedd.

    King Charles and Queen Camilla chatting to members of the SeneddImage source, PA Media
  19. Choir performs 'Safwn yn y Bwlch'published at 12:24 British Summer Time 11 July

    A choir of children singing in the SeneddImage source, Welsh Parliament

    During the ceremony, there was a performance of the song Safwn yn y Bwlch by Ysgol Treganna Ensemble.

    Two poems were also read out.

    One poem was written by Senedd staff member Aron Pritchard to mark the opening of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999.

    The second is a new poem by Aron to mark the 25th anniversary.

    Welsh Youth Parliament Member Ffion Fairclough joined him in the reading.

    As Elin Jones hands over to King Charles, she says "follow that".

    The Siambr laughs as the King grins and begins to speak.

    Poems being read out by Aron Pritchard and Poems were also read out by Senedd staff member Aron Pritchard and Welsh Youth Parliament Member, Ffion Fairclough.Image source, Senedd.tv
  20. Beautiful harp music serenades King and Queenpublished at 12:22 British Summer Time 11 July

    harpistImage source, Senedd.tv

    The King and Queen have now left the Senedd's Siambr, to the sound of beautiful harp music.