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News

TRH attend the opening of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay

1st March 2006

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall accompanied The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to Cardiff as Her Majesty opened the Welsh Assembly Debating Chamber, or Senedd, in Cardiff Bay.

Wearing daffodil badges to celebrate St David's Day, the Royal guests were greeted by Rhodri Morgan, First Minister for Wales at the steps of the new landmark building which is the new home of the Welsh Assembly.

After a 21-gun salute and RAF flypast, The Queen unveiled a plaque inside the building and said that the opening of the building was a “moment for the whole of Wales to celebrate”.

In her speech to Assembly Members and guests, The Queen said: “It is a great pleasure for me to be here on this memorable day for the National Assembly for Wales.

“I am delighted that this important occasion has drawn on the heritage and diversity of this land to mark the opening of this fine new building.”

The Queen said the building showed “pride and confidence - in the future of Wales, in the future of democracy, and in the central role of the National Assembly in the life of the nation”.

Wales's national poet Gwyneth Lewis wrote a poem for the occasion and presented it to The Queen.

Guests from all over the world, including Speakers and Presidents from other Parliaments and children and older people from every county in Wales were invited to celebrate the occasion.

Assembly members have been using the environmentally friendly building designed by Lord Richard Rogers since 7th February.

It gathers rainwater on the roof which is used for toilet flushing and window washing, is naturally ventilated and is heated using warmth from the earth.

After the speeches the Royal party went up to the Oriel, or gallery, on the top floor of the Senedd.

There they met the building‘s design team and chief engineers and saw plans for the building.

Afterwards, The Prince of Wales visited the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He toured the centre dropping in on activities including a lighting and equipment class and a class for talented children who are visually impaired.

Tonight, The Prince and The Duchess will visit the Wales Millennium Centre to watch the Welsh National Opera perform Wagner's The Flying Dutchman.

Before the opera, Their Royal Highnesses will return to the Senedd where they will attend a reception and The Prince will give a speech.