Britain’s new monarch, Charles III, pledged a “deep commitment” to Wales this Friday, during a visit to the local parliament and Cardiff, where he was greeted by thousands, but also voices critical of the monarchy were heard.
“We all share the deepest commitment to the well-being of the people of this country and we will continue to work together to achieve that goal,” Charles III said at a session of the Welsh Parliament (Senedd) to offer condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, a week ago.
“Wales had a special place in her heart,” the British monarch said, referring to his mother, who died on September 8 in Balmoral, Scotland, at the age of 96, after reigning for 70 years.
Charles III, who was Prince of Wales for nearly 70 years and was part of Friday’s speech in the Welsh language, ended the first round of visits to the nations of the United Kingdom this Friday in Cardiff since he was proclaimed monarch in September. .
Since last Saturday, he has visited the British Parliament in London and the local parliaments of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as meeting authorities from the various nations of the United Kingdom and interacting with the population, always accompanied by the Queen’s consort, Camila. .
Charles III said it was “a privilege” to be Prince of Wales “for so long” and assured that the title’s new owner, his eldest son William, “feels a deep love” for Wales.
For his part, Welsh Prime Minister Mark Drakeford of the Labor Party referred to the many changes Wales has undergone in the 70 years of Elizabeth II’s reign and emphasized “the devotion the Queen has shown to the democratic institutions of Wales. decentralized UK”.
Wales is part of the United Kingdom and has had a local parliament since 1999, which has since been given more autonomy and more legislative powers.
The most represented party currently in parliament is the PvdA (centre-left), with 29 out of 60 deputies. The second largest force is the Conservative Party, which has ten deputies, the same number of seats as the independents in Plaie Cymru.
The minority parliamentary representation of the Welsh nationalists, in the face of an overwhelming majority of MPs from parties defending their stay in the UK, has today led several hundred people on the street to salute Charles III at the points where he was in Cardiff. came by and in remaining protests take advantage of the presence of the English king.
The demonstrations were mainly for the end of the monarchy, with posters saying “Abolish the monarchy”, “It’s not my king”, “God save Carlos the last” or “make the monarchy history”.
Most protesters chose the entrance to Cardiff Castle, in the city center, for the protest, where Charles III received an early afternoon audience with local authorities and associations, with several dozen anti-monarchists peacefully joining their stand.
But the spirit of the hundreds of people who waited for Charles III in Llandaff Cathedral, Parliament and Cardiff Castle, the three places the King passed by in Cardiff today, was one of greeting and acclaim for the new monarch.
A poster on one of the city’s streets summarized the visit: “English propaganda 1, history of Wales 0”.
Source: DN
