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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Queen to officially open Welsh Senedd's sixth term | Queen to officially open Welsh Senedd's sixth term |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A look back at Senedd openings attended by the Queen over the years | A look back at Senedd openings attended by the Queen over the years |
| The Queen will officially open the sixth term of the Senedd on Thursday in her first visit to Wales for five years. | The Queen will officially open the sixth term of the Senedd on Thursday in her first visit to Wales for five years. |
| She has arrived in Cardiff accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. | |
| People nominated as Covid community champions are among the guests at the event, delayed because of the pandemic. | |
| Presiding Officer Elin Jones said the event is a celebration "of the diverse communities across Wales". | |
| A 21-gun salute sounded in Cardiff Bay to mark the Queen's arrival at Cardiff Central. | |
| Pupils from Mount Stuart Primary School, which is a short distance from the Senedd, will greet the Queen when she arrives in Cardiff Bay, with mace-bearer Shaz Khan leading her into the chamber. | Pupils from Mount Stuart Primary School, which is a short distance from the Senedd, will greet the Queen when she arrives in Cardiff Bay, with mace-bearer Shaz Khan leading her into the chamber. |
| Follow the events online live | |
| Queen speaks of 'deep affection' for Scotland | Queen speaks of 'deep affection' for Scotland |
| Queen marks Royal British Legion centenary | Queen marks Royal British Legion centenary |
| The Welsh National Opera's (WNO) youth branch is among those providing performances of music and poetry. | The Welsh National Opera's (WNO) youth branch is among those providing performances of music and poetry. |
| Preparations were made for the visit on Thursday morning | |
| It marks the ceremonial start of the new Senedd term following May's election, which returned Welsh Labour leader Mark Drakeford as first minister. | It marks the ceremonial start of the new Senedd term following May's election, which returned Welsh Labour leader Mark Drakeford as first minister. |
| All 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs) have been invited to the chamber for the event - the first time since the pandemic changed how the Senedd works. | All 60 Members of the Senedd (MSs) have been invited to the chamber for the event - the first time since the pandemic changed how the Senedd works. |
| The Queen will meet Ms Jones and Mr Drakeford at the ceremony, which is being shown live on BBC One Wales and S4C. | |
| Mace bearer Mr Khan, from Cardiff, is a trained chef who worked in catering before becoming a security officer in the Senedd. | Mace bearer Mr Khan, from Cardiff, is a trained chef who worked in catering before becoming a security officer in the Senedd. |
| "You kind of feel nervous, but at the same time, very, very proud to be part of something like this," he said. | "You kind of feel nervous, but at the same time, very, very proud to be part of something like this," he said. |
| The mace will be placed in its sconce in the Senedd chamber to signify the official opening. | The mace will be placed in its sconce in the Senedd chamber to signify the official opening. |
| There is live coverage on BBC One Wales | |
| WNO youth opera, in its first live appearance in 18 months, will perform Ar Lan yr Môr and Tân Cerdd, as well as presenting a song composed for the event entitled Ymuno. | WNO youth opera, in its first live appearance in 18 months, will perform Ar Lan yr Môr and Tân Cerdd, as well as presenting a song composed for the event entitled Ymuno. |
| A family from Afghanistan starting a new life in Wales after fleeing the Taliban will also meet Prince Charles. | |
| The service will include a poetry reading from Eleri Griffiths and Oliver Edwards Davies of the Welsh Youth Parliament. | The service will include a poetry reading from Eleri Griffiths and Oliver Edwards Davies of the Welsh Youth Parliament. |
| They will read Ein Llais, written by children from 24 primary schools about their hopes for the future. | They will read Ein Llais, written by children from 24 primary schools about their hopes for the future. |
| Shazad Khan will lead the queen into the Senedd chamber | Shazad Khan will lead the queen into the Senedd chamber |
| Covid community champions have been nominated by MSs in recognition of the help they provided to their communities during the pandemic. | Covid community champions have been nominated by MSs in recognition of the help they provided to their communities during the pandemic. |
| Guests will include marathon runner Ian Turner from Aberconwy and Alison Round, who headed up a group in Flint that created scrubs, hats and masks for the NHS and healthcare workers from donated materials. | |
| The Queen last visited Wales in 2016 | |
| Ms Jones said: "Our official opening event is not only a celebration of the Senedd but of the diverse communities across Wales whose voices are represented within these walls. | Ms Jones said: "Our official opening event is not only a celebration of the Senedd but of the diverse communities across Wales whose voices are represented within these walls. |
| "I am particularly pleased that many Covid champions who made such a positive difference in their areas, with strength and generosity of spirit, will join us from all parts of Wales. | "I am particularly pleased that many Covid champions who made such a positive difference in their areas, with strength and generosity of spirit, will join us from all parts of Wales. |
| "As we commemorate the beginning of a new Senedd term, let's be inspired by these endeavours and by the voices within our unique communities as we face both the challenges and opportunities ahead." | "As we commemorate the beginning of a new Senedd term, let's be inspired by these endeavours and by the voices within our unique communities as we face both the challenges and opportunities ahead." |
| Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price, senior Welsh Conservative Paul Davies and Welsh Liberal Democrat MS Jane Dodds are expected to take part. | Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price, senior Welsh Conservative Paul Davies and Welsh Liberal Democrat MS Jane Dodds are expected to take part. |
| The first official opening took place after the assembly began in 1999 | The first official opening took place after the assembly began in 1999 |
| What is the official opening? | What is the official opening? |
| Covid has delayed this year's opening ceremony, which has been held soon after an election for every new term since the opening of the National Assembly in 1999. | Covid has delayed this year's opening ceremony, which has been held soon after an election for every new term since the opening of the National Assembly in 1999. |
| It is not like the Queen's Speech in the Houses of Commons where she lays out the government's legislative programme - it is purely ceremonial. | It is not like the Queen's Speech in the Houses of Commons where she lays out the government's legislative programme - it is purely ceremonial. |
| The event is not required by law, but has become convention to mark the start of a new term after a Senedd election. | The event is not required by law, but has become convention to mark the start of a new term after a Senedd election. |
| A key part is the mace, which was donated to the Senedd in 2006 by the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. | A key part is the mace, which was donated to the Senedd in 2006 by the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. |
| It is the first time it has been held since the law-making body changed its name to Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament. | It is the first time it has been held since the law-making body changed its name to Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament. |