16 September 2022

In Pictures: Cheers and a few boos for King and Queen Consort on Welsh visit

16 September 2022

The King has made his first visit to Wales since his accession to the throne.

Accompanied by the Queen Consort, he carried out a series of engagements for the first time since handing over the Prince of Wales title to his son, William, after succeeding his late mother.

Some protesters made their views known about the monarchy, but the royal couple were well received by crowds at Cardiff Castle following a visit to the Senedd, where condolences were expressed over the loss of his mother the Queen.

The King met Sheinkin IV, regimental mascot for the Royal Welsh Third Battalion and carried out another walkabout, meeting members of the public.

Lance Corporal Shenkin IV, the regimental mascot goat of the Third Battalion of the Royal Welsh regiment, and bandsmen wait for King Charles III to arrive at Cardiff Castle in Wales (Chris Jackson/PA) (PA Wire)
King Charles III and the Queen Consort arrive for a reception for local charities at Cardiff Castle (Chris Jackson/PA) (PA Wire)
School children wait for King Charles III to arrive at Cardiff Castle (Ben Birchall/PA) (PA Wire)
King Charles III meets Archbishop of Cardiff Mark O’Toole (right) (Chris Jackson/PA) (PA Wire)
Harpist Alice Hughes performs during a reception attended by King Charles III and the Queen Consort (Chris Jackson/PA) (PA Wire)

He met charity workers, clerics and one particularly poignant moment was a meeting with relatives of those affected by the Aberfan disaster in the 1960s.

The Queen had faced some criticism at the time for what had been seen a tardy arrival in Wales but the King was told that the relatives felt his mother’s timing was right when she did make a visit.

King Charles III meets members of the public (Chris Jackson/PA) (PA Wire)
The Royal Standard flies outside the Senedd in Cardiff (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)
King Charles III speaks to the wives of victims of the Aberfan disaster (Chris Jackson/PA) (PA Wire)
King Charles III and the Queen Consort arriving at Cardiff Castle (Ben Birchall/PA) (PA Wire)
King Charles III, with the Queen Consort, speaking after receiving a Motion of Condolence at the Senedd (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)

Anti-monarchy dissenters also made their voices heard but the King was warmly received on his first visit as monarch – others commiserated with him over the loss of his mother, who will be buried on Monday.

Not everyone was happy to pledge fealty (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)
Others shared a fond remembrance of the Queen (Chris Jackson/PA) (PA Wire)

The best videos delivered daily

Watch the stories that matter, right from your inbox