Charles returns to Wales as King: Royals arrive on final stop of UK tour

16 September 2022, 06:48 | Updated: 16 September 2022, 14:35

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla have arrived in Wales on the final stop of their tour of the UK's four nations.

They visited Llandaff Cathedral for Wales' National Service of Prayer and Reflection for Queen Elizabeth, before returning to London to hold a vigil at the Queen's coffin with his brothers and sister.

It comes after the completed trips to Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The King said at the Senedd: "Through all the years of her reign, the land of Wales could not be closer to my mother's heart.

"I know she took immense pride in your many great achievements, even as she also felt you deeply in great times of sorrow.

"It must surely be counted the greatest achievement to belong to a land that inspired so much devotion.

"I am resolved to honour that same example in the spirit of the words I always try to live my own life - Ich dien - I Serve."

The King went on: "I take up my new duties with immense gratitude for the privilege of having been able to serve as Prince of Wales.

"That ancient title dating from the time of those great Welsh rulers... I now pass to my son William whose love for this corner of the Earth is made all the greater by the years he himself has spent here."

The King and Camilla attended the service before receiving condolences at the Welsh parliament, the Senedd.

He was later due hold a private audience with Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and the presiding officer at Cardiff Castle, although a protest against the monarchy is expected outside.

Read more: The Queen's funeral plan in full as thousands more queue overnight to pay respects

Members of the public were invited to line the route as King Charles III approached Cardiff Castle.

Charles was then to attend a reception hosted by the Welsh Government, before returning to Buckingham Palace in the evening to host faith leaders in the Bow Room.

Meanwhile thousands will continue to queue to see the Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall, and some will witness the King, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex as they hold a 15-minute vigil around the coffin at 7.30pm.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were also due to visit Army Training Centre Pirbright in Surrey to meet troops from the Commonwealth who are to participate in the Queen's state funeral.

It comes a day after the couple visited a sea of flowers left for the Queen at the gates of Sandringham House in Norfolk, where William told one mourner that walking behind the Queen's coffin to the lying in state on Wednesday was difficult, and reminded him of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales's funeral.

On Thursday, more details were revealed about the Queen's funeral, which will see 2,000 people, including world leaders and foreign royals, gather at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

Prince and Princess of Wales visit sea of tributes to Queen at Sandringham

Recipients of the Victoria Cross and the George Cross and representatives of the Westminster Parliament, devolved parliaments and assemblies, the Church, and Her Majesty's patronages are among those who will also attend.

The service will be conducted by the Dean of Windsor, with Prime Minister Liz Truss and Commonwealth secretary general Baroness Scotland reading the lessons, and the Archbishop of Canterbury delivering the sermon.

Some 800 people, including members of the Queen's Household and Windsor estate staff, will attend the committal service afterwards at 4pm in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The Palace confirmed the Queen will be interred with the Duke of Edinburgh in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St George's Chapel in a private service at 7.30pm.

The Queen's grandchildren will reportedly hold a vigil at her coffin on Saturday - with the Duke of Sussex wearing his military uniform, according to the Daily Mirror.

Harry completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan but had been denied the chance to wear his military uniform as he publicly mourned as he is no longer a working royal.

But the Daily Mirror said Palace officials have had a change of heart, with a source saying "common sense has prevailed".

Harry will reportedly join his brother William and cousins Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall at the vigil.

Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.