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Queen officially opening Welsh Senedd's sixth term | |
(32 minutes later) | |
The Queen is officially opening the Senedd for the sixth time | |
The Queen is officially opening 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. | 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. | People nominated as Covid community champions are among the guests at the event, delayed because of the pandemic. |
Presiding Officer Elin Jones said the ceremony is a celebration "of the diverse communities across Wales". | |
A 21-gun salute sounded in Cardiff Bay to mark the Queen's arrival in the city. | |
At the steps of the Senedd she was greeted by pupils from Mount Stuart Primary School, a short distance from the Senedd. | |
The Queen is greeted by Presiding Officer Elin Jones and First Minister Mark Drakefordhttps://t.co/aWg6A8G9ZC pic.twitter.com/lCv3d9s98K | |
After meeting First Minister Mark Drakeford Elin Jones, mace-bearer Shaz Khan led her into the debating chamber. | |
The mace was be placed in its sconce in the Senedd to signify the official opening. | |
Follow the events online live | 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 was among those providing performances of music and poetry, performing Ar Lan yr Môr. | |
Preparations were made for the visit on Thursday morning | 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. |
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. |
There is live coverage on BBC One Wales | There is live coverage on BBC One Wales |
Tân Cerdd, will be 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. | 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. | 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 | 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." |
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. |