King Charles Opens Senedd as Protester Arrested in Cardiff 2026

Key Points

• King Charles III and Queen Camilla inaugurated the seventh term of Senedd, which is the Welsh parliament, in Cardiff Bay on 15 October 2026.
• It was the first such ceremony that the king had attended since becoming the monarch.
• This ceremony is important because it marks the first term of Senedd opened since Plaid Cymru became the largest party in Wales and formed a government.
• Approximately thirty demonstrators against monarchy were gathered near the Senedd, shouting “not my King” and “down, down, down with the Crown”.
• One demonstrator was detained because, according to reports, he ignored an order of police to disperse; it was stated that the detainment was conducted by the provisions of Section 14 of the public order legislation.
• Addressing the gathering, King Charles stated that he feels “immensely privileged and proud” of having “a special relationship with Wales”.
• The King mentioned summer heat waves and showed “very deep concern about the rapidly changing planet”.
• This event was also the first opening of the seventh term of Senedd after its enlargement to 96 Members.
• Both First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Llywydd Huw Irranca-Davies attended the ceremony.

Cardiff (Wales Times) October 15, 2026 — King Charles III and Queen Camilla formally opened the seventh term of the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd, in uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff Bay on Thursday, in a ceremony that combined royal tradition, a new political era for Wales and anti-monarchy protest.

As reported by Burak Bir of Anadolu Agency, the King took part in the ceremonial opening for the first time since becoming monarch and said he was “privileged and proud” to have a special connection with Wales.

The event was the first opening of a Senedd term since Plaid Cymru became Wales’ largest party and took over the running of the Welsh Government. Anadolu Agency reported that Plaid Cymru secured a landslide victory in this year’s Senedd election, ending Labour’s century-long position as Wales’ largest party.

The ceremony was held in the Siambr, the Senedd’s debating chamber. As reported by ITV News Wales, the King was scheduled to address the chamber alongside First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Huw Irranca-Davies, the Llywydd, or presiding officer.

What did King Charles say to the Senedd?

King Charles told Members of the Senedd that he had “always felt immensely privileged, and proud, to have had such a special connection with Wales with its language, its culture and its landscape for so much of my life”. As reported by LBC, he added that those shared strengths should inspire the new government as it worked “on behalf of the people of this most special corner of the Earth”.

The King also spoke in Welsh, saying:

“Pob bendith ar eich gwaith er lles y wlad arbennig hon,”

which LBC translated as:

“Heartfelt thanks for your work for the welfare and success of this special land.”

According to Anadolu Agency, the BBC reported that the King referred to the “vital” role of endurance, mentioning the summer heatwaves and expressing his “deep concern” for a “rapidly changing planet”.

Why were protesters outside the Senedd?

Anti-monarchy demonstrators gathered outside the Senedd as the royal car arrived. Wales Online reported that chants of “not my King” were heard and that police arrested one protester.

The BBC’s live coverage reported that about 30 anti-monarchy demonstrators were present, while many other attendees waved Welsh flags in support of the royal visit. The broadcaster reported that shouts of “not my King” were audible and that one protester was taken into custody after failing to comply with police orders to disperse.

As reported by The National, protesters chanted “not my King” and “down, down, down with the Crown” as the King and Queen walked up the Senedd steps to greet First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Llywydd Huw Irranca-Davies. The outlet reported that placards included messages calling for the monarchy to be abolished.

The South Wales Argus, citing a BBC live report, said police attempted to move protesters using a dispersal order. It reported that most demonstrators moved, but one man refused and was placed in handcuffs and led away; the report said he was arrested under Section 14 of public order legislation.

Who organised the protest?

The demonstration was organised by the anti-monarchy group Republic, according to The National. The group had called for an investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to continue and for a full inquiry into what other members of the royal family knew and when.

Republic chief executive Graham Smith said, as reported by The National:

“Charles shouldn’t be rocking up to the Senedd, Scottish Parliament or the House of Commons. He’s an unelected head of state who should have no place in our political institutions.”

Before the ceremony, Nation.Cymru reported that anti-monarchy groups had urged Senedd Members to walk out during the King’s speech and join protesters outside. It reported that Real Democracy Now campaigner Adam Johannes had previously helped organise a protest against Charles’s coronation in Cardiff.

Why was this Senedd opening significant?

The ceremony formally marked the start of the seventh Senedd term and was the first since the Welsh Parliament expanded to 96 members. The South Wales Argus described the event as marking “a new era in Welsh democracy”.

Llywydd Huw Irranca-Davies said before the opening that the ceremony signified “a new chapter in the Senedd’s history”. As reported by The Independent, he said the larger parliament had been elected through a new electoral system designed to better reflect the diversity of views and experiences across Wales.

He added: “We are honoured that Their Majesties The King and Queen are here to share this moment with us. We will use this moment to celebrate the people, communities and culture of Wales and remind ourselves of the aspirations of those who put their trust in us to serve them in this seventh Senedd term.”

Who attended the ceremony?

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were welcomed at the Senedd by a Royal Navy Guard of Honour, which gave a Royal Salute. The Independent reported that a mace-bearer led a procession of Members of the Senedd into the Siambr.

The ceremony included a performance by the King’s Harpist, Mared Pugh Evans, and the Merched Plastaf Choir singing “O Gymru”. Wales Online reported that the proceedings began with Members of the Senedd processing into the chamber, led by a mace-bearer and accompanied by two Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament and the Welsh Guards Corps of Drums.

During the visit, the King and Queen were due to meet party leaders, Members of the Welsh Youth Parliament, the Senedd’s chief executive and clerk, the deputy presiding officer, and representatives from community and youth organisations.

What happens after the Senedd opening?

The ceremonial opening marks the formal beginning of the new parliamentary term following May’s Senedd election. The BBC explained that the ceremony occurs after an election and formally signifies the commencement of a new term, with the head of state attending to acknowledge the Senedd’s role in Welsh public life.

The political context is notable because Plaid Cymru now leads the Welsh Government after ending Labour’s long-standing position as Wales’ largest party. Anadolu Agency reported that this was the first term opened under that new political arrangement.

Background of the development

The Senedd, formerly known as the National Assembly for Wales, is the devolved parliament for Wales and sits in Cardiff Bay. Its ceremonial opening follows an election and formally begins a new term of government.

King Charles attended every previous opening of the Senedd, including the first in 1999, when he was still the Prince of Wales. Wales Online reported that Thursday’s event was his first time leading the proceedings as monarch, although he had visited the Senedd after his accession.

The seventh Senedd is also the first to operate with 96 members, an increase from the previous chamber size, following electoral reforms intended to better reflect the diversity of opinion across Wales.

The royal visit took place months after Plaid Cymru’s election victory. Anadolu Agency reported that the party’s win ended Labour’s century-long status as Wales’ largest party, while the BBC described the King’s meeting with First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth as his first official meeting with him since he became First Minister.

Prediction: How could this affect Welsh politics and the public?

For Welsh voters, the opening signals the practical start of a new Senedd term under a Plaid Cymru-led government, with the expanded 96-member chamber expected to shape legislation and scrutiny in Cardiff Bay. The ceremony itself does not change policy, but it formally begins the period in which the new government will be expected to deliver its programme.

For the Welsh Government, the King’s remarks on climate change and the summer heatwaves may add public attention to environmental resilience, although the monarch’s ceremonial role does not direct government policy. The King’s reference to a “rapidly changing planet” was reported by the BBC and Anadolu Agency.

For anti-monarchy campaigners, the visible protest and arrest outside the Senedd are likely to keep the constitutional debate in public view, particularly because Republic argued that an unelected head of state should not have a formal role in political institutions. However, the ceremony proceeded as planned and the Senedd’s new term has formally begun.

For Senedd Members, the expanded parliament and new electoral system mean the seventh term begins with a changed political landscape. The Llywydd described the moment as a “new chapter” in Welsh democracy, and the first Plaid Cymru-led term is now formally under way.