King Charles Delivers Powerful Message After Calls to Step Down As Palace Releases Historic Video
King Charles has delivered a historic address to the Welsh Parliament as Buckingham Palace released a video of his speech following calls to step down during his visit to Cardiff.
The monarch remained composed during the Ceremonial Opening of the Seventh Senedd, where he addressed Welsh political representatives and highlighted the importance of public service, change and continuity.
The Palace subsequently shared footage of the King’s address, bringing renewed attention to his appearance at the landmark parliamentary ceremony and his message to the people of Wales.
Speaking before members of the Senedd, Charles expressed his pleasure at attending the opening of the legislature’s seventh term, marking another significant moment in his longstanding relationship with Wales.
“Presiding officer, members of the Senedd, Ladies and Gentlemen at the Senedd, it is with the greatest pleasure that I join you for the opening of the seventh Senedd,” the King said.
His address also recognised the institution’s Welsh identity and its role in representing the people of the country. Charles referred to the chamber as “Senedd Cymru”, the Welsh Parliament, emphasising its connection to Welsh public life.
The monarch noted that the chamber had changed since his previous appearance, with more members now present and many new faces taking their places alongside familiar figures.
“There are, of course, rather more members of the Senedd present today than when I last stood here, and there are many new faces, as well as, of course, the reassuring presence of familiar faces who are, we might say, Yma o Hyd [still here],” he said.
The Welsh phrase “Yma o Hyd”, meaning “still here”, carried a message of continuity as Charles reflected on the institution’s development and the people who have served it over the years.
The King went on to connect those changes with the responsibilities held by elected representatives and others working in public service across Wales.
“All of which speaks to the thought of change and continuity, which comes very much to mind today as you, together with all those working in public service, take forward your great responsibilities on behalf of the people of Wales,” he said.
Charles also incorporated Welsh into his address, reflecting the cultural significance of the occasion and the importance of the Welsh language within the country’s public institutions.
The ceremony marked a historic milestone for the Senedd, which has developed considerably since its first opening in 1999. This latest event was also notable because Charles attended as King for the first time, having been present at earlier openings as Prince of Wales.
However, the royal visit was not without controversy. Reports of anti-monarchy protesters chanting “Not my King” brought attention to opposition to the institution, even as the formal proceedings continued.
Such protests reflect the existence of differing views about the monarchy, but the supplied account does not establish how widely those views were shared among people attending the event.
Buckingham Palace’s release of the speech placed the focus back on the King’s official duties and his message to the Welsh Parliament, rather than on the protests outside.
For now, Charles’s address stands as a notable moment in his relationship with Wales, combining a recognition of the Senedd’s evolving role with an appeal to the continuing responsibilities of public service.
