King Charles III and the Queen Consort are to pay their first official visit to Cardiff since the death of HM The Queen, on Friday, September 16.
The visit will be the third of the couple’s official engagements following their attendance at ceremonies in Belfast and Edinburgh.
The Accession visit to Cardiff will comprise a Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen at Llandaff Cathedral, attended by senior faith leaders from communities across Cardiff. The Royal couple are due to arrive at Llandaff Cathedral before further visits around Wales’ capital city.
Their Majesties will be greeted at the Cathedral by the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan.
A Service of Prayer and Reflection for the Life of The Queen will be led by the Dean. The Archbishop will give the address and the First Minister will be called upon to give a reading. The Bishop of Llandaff and Interfaith leaders will lead the prayers.
After the Service has taken place, The King and The Queen Consort will undertake a short walkabout on Llandaff Green to meet with school children and members of the local community.
The King and The Queen Consort receive a Motion of Condolence at the Senedd.
The King and The Queen Consort will be greeted by The Llywydd (Elin Jones) and First Minister (Mark Drakeford). Their Majesties will then proceed into the Siambr, (the Senedd’s debating chamber) accompanied by the First Minister and Party leaders.
The First Minister will stand to propose the Motion of Condolence. The King will stand to reply and The Llywdd will close the session.
After the session has taken place, Their Majesties will view condolence messages in the Cwrt Area and meet Members of the Youth Parliament.
Their Majesties will greet Senedd Members in the Neuadd.
Upon departure, Their Majesties will meet members of the public.
This will be followed by The King conducting audiences at Cardiff Castle. The King is expected to receive the First Minister of Wales and the Presiding Officer.
Once The King has conducted his audience, His Majesty and The Queen Consort will attend a reception for local charities at Cardiff Castle.
The King and The Queen Consort will be met by the First Minister and Llywydd.
Together, Their Majesties will then proceed to the Banqueting Hall where they will join guests including representatives of Royal Patronages and Members of Faith Communities at a reception.
The public are welcome to gather in the castle grounds and it is expected the King and Queen Consort will meet the public after the Castle reception. Space is limited and entry will be restricted to around the first 2,000 people to arrive.
The ceremony comes after Cardiff has played a key role in Wales’ response to the sad news of HM The Queen’s death, announced last Thursday evening.
Saturday 10th September, at 1pm in Cardiff Castle, the 104th Regiment fired a 96-gun salute – representing every year of Her Majesty’s life – and at 2pm the Rt Hon Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Graham Hinchey, and the Council leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, opened books of condolence at City Hall. These will remain open for the public from 9am-5pm daily, until 5pm on the day of the State Funeral. An online book of condolence is available at www.Royal.UK
Sunday 11th September, saw the Castle play host to the Proclamation of the new sovereign when King Charles was formally announced in Wales as the new monarch. You can read more about that here.
Floral tributes in memory of The Queen can be placed on the lawn areas either side of City Hall’s main entrance in Cardiff, between 9am and 5pm.
Flags on Council buildings returned to full-mast at 11am, Saturday September 10, to coincide with the Reading of the Principal Proclamation of the new monarch in London and a 21-gun Royal Salute at Cardiff Castle at 11am.
Flags returned to half-mast at 1pm, Sunday, September 11, after the Proclamation in Cardiff.
