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Senedd: Queen commends Wales' spirit during Covid pandemic Senedd: Queen commends Wales' spirit during Covid pandemic
(about 1 hour later)
The Queen was led into the Senedd chamber by mace barer Shaz Khan The Queen was led into the Senedd chamber by mace bearer Shaz Khan
The Queen has commended the spirit of the Welsh people during the pandemic as she officially opened the sixth term of the Senedd on Thursday. The Queen commended the spirit of the people of Wales during the pandemic as she officially opened the sixth term of the Senedd on Thursday.
In her first visit to Wales in five years, she told the Welsh parliament everyone owes a "debt of gratitude" to those who have served their communities. In her first visit to Wales in five years, she told the Welsh Parliament everyone owes a "debt of gratitude" to those who have served their communities.
People nominated as Covid community champions were among the guests. She was accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The event marks the ceremonial start of the term.
Presiding Officer Elin Jones said the ceremony was a celebration "of the diverse communities across Wales".
A 21-gun salute sounded in Cardiff Bay marked the Queen's arrival in the city.A 21-gun salute sounded in Cardiff Bay marked 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. At the steps of the Senedd she was greeted by pupils from nearby Mount Stuart Primary School.
People nominated as Covid community champions for how they helped others were among the guests, as well as a family from Afghanistan living in Wales who fled the Taliban.
Presiding Officer Elin Jones called said the ceremony a celebration "of the diverse communities across Wales".
The event marks the ceremonial start of the term since the last Senedd election, which returned Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford to power.
The Queen is greeted by Presiding Officer Elin Jones and First Minister Mark Drakefordhttps://t.co/aWg6A8G9ZC pic.twitter.com/lCv3d9s98KThe 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 and Elin Jones, mace-bearer Shaz Khan led her into the debating chamber. After meeting Mr Drakeford and Ms Jones, mace bearer Shaz Khan led her into the debating chamber. The mace was placed in its sconce in the Senedd to signify the official opening.
The mace was placed in its sconce in the Senedd to signify the official opening.
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As she arrived the Welsh National Opera's (WNO) youth branch performed Ar Lan yr Môr. As she arrived Welsh National Opera's (WNO) youth branch performed traditional Welsh folk song Ar Lan yr Môr.
Everyone owes a 'debt of gratitude' to those who helped their communities, she said. Everyone owes a 'debt of gratitude' to those who helped their communities, said the Queen
The Queen met the first minister Mark Drakeford and presiding officer Elin Jones on the Senedd steps The Queen met First Minister Mark Drakeford and Presiding Officer Elin Jones on the Senedd steps
It is the sixth time the Queen has officially opened the Senedd The Queen said: "We all owe a debt of gratitude to those who have risen so magnificently to the challenges of the last 18 months, from key workers to volunteers who have done so much to serve their communities.
The Queen, speaking in the Senedd, said: "We all owe a debt of gratitude to those who have risen so magnificently to the challenges of the last 18 months, from key workers to volunteers who have done so much to serve their communities.
"They are shining examples of the spirit for which the Welsh people are so renowned, a spirit which I have personally encountered so many times."They are shining examples of the spirit for which the Welsh people are so renowned, a spirit which I have personally encountered so many times.
"It is a source of pleasure that both The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, together with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have had homes in Wales, and experienced its very special sense of community. "It is a source of pleasure that both the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, together with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have had homes in Wales, and experienced its very special sense of community.
"The Welsh people have much to be proud of," she added."The Welsh people have much to be proud of," she added.
She said the decision to change the name of the institution from National Assembly for Wales to Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament "demonstrates your status as a national parliament".She said the decision to change the name of the institution from National Assembly for Wales to Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament "demonstrates your status as a national parliament".
Its move to virtual meetings at the start of the pandemic was also commended.Its move to virtual meetings at the start of the pandemic was also commended.
"The fact that all parties showed a determination that you should continue to meet is commendable, and testament to your commitment to scrutinise the government, on behalf of the people of Wales.""The fact that all parties showed a determination that you should continue to meet is commendable, and testament to your commitment to scrutinise the government, on behalf of the people of Wales."
The Queen arrived with Prince Charles and Duchess of CornwallThe Queen arrived with Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall
Pupils from Mount Stuart Primary School greeted the royal partyPupils from Mount Stuart Primary School greeted the royal party
First Minister Mark Drakeford said the opening of the sixth session was "a time for all of us to look to the future". In his speech, Mr Drakeford said the opening of the sixth session was "a time for all of us to look to the future".
"People from all corners of Wales, including those most distant from this building, have chosen 60 members to represent our collective ambitions and the a course for our country, in the years ahead," he said."People from all corners of Wales, including those most distant from this building, have chosen 60 members to represent our collective ambitions and the a course for our country, in the years ahead," he said.
"I'm sure that we will argue and disagree about what is best for Wales, but always in this Senedd with the interests of the, we represent at the centre of everything that we do.""I'm sure that we will argue and disagree about what is best for Wales, but always in this Senedd with the interests of the, we represent at the centre of everything that we do."
The Queen signed a commemorative parchment during the ceremony It is the sixth time the Queen has officially opened the Senedd
Shaz Khan, a Senedd security officer, performed mace-barer duties Shaz Khan, a Senedd security officer, performed mace bearer duties
Presiding Officer Elin Jones said: "We thank all the people of Wales, health care workers in particular, for their extraordinary efforts during this time." Presiding Officer Elin Jones opened the ceremony in the chamber: "We thank all the people of Wales, health care workers in particular, for their extraordinary efforts during this time."
She said work in the next term "will undoubtedly focus on recovering from the Covid pandemic, but there will also be many other challenges and opportunities, from playing a leading role in tackling climate change to promoting equality and fairness for all in Wales".She said work in the next term "will undoubtedly focus on recovering from the Covid pandemic, but there will also be many other challenges and opportunities, from playing a leading role in tackling climate change to promoting equality and fairness for all in Wales".
In the chamber Eleri Griffiths and Oliver Edwards Davies of the Welsh Youth Parliament read a poem called Ein Llais.In the chamber Eleri Griffiths and Oliver Edwards Davies of the Welsh Youth Parliament read a poem called Ein Llais.
Written by children from 24 primary schools, it spoke about their hopes for the future.Written by children from 24 primary schools, it spoke about their hopes for the future.
The Queen signed a commemorative parchment during the ceremony
On her arrival the Queen met Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price, senior Welsh Conservative Paul Davies and Welsh Liberal Democrat MS Jane Dodds.
Royal harpist Alis Huws performed for the guests in the Senedd chamber.
After the ceremony finished the Queen met the Covid community champions - people nominated by Members of the Senedd (MSs) for their work during Covid.
Tân Cerdd, a group which includes black Welsh artists, performed original song called Ymuno.
After the queen left the Prince of Wales remained to take part in a reception meeting a family recently relocated from Afghanistan.
Mace bearer Shaz Khan, from Cardiff, who is part of the Senedd's security team, said he was "really very ecstatic" to take part: "It is just once in a lifetime, I'm very proud."
All 60 members of the Senedd were invited to the ceremony - the first time that all were allowed to be present in the chamber since the pandemic took hold.
The first official opening took place after the assembly began in 1999
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.
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.
But it does emphasise the role of devolution within the British constitution.
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.
It is the first time it has been held since the law-making body changed its name to Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament.