Royal harpist Alis Huws performed in front of Her Majesty the Queen during the opening of the sixth Senedd.

Wearing her Royal Harpist's brooch, Alis accompanied the Queen as she signed a commemorative parchment and left the Siambr, the Senedd's debating chamber, on Thursday, October 14.

The harpist from Foel, near Llanfair Caereinion has been the official harpist to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales since 2019.

Prince Charles also attended today's ceremony in Cardiff Bay with his wife the Duchess of Cornwall.

The talented musician has played for the Royal Family on several occasions, and has travelled widely, performing in Europe, the Far East, Russia and Japan.

 

Queen Elizabeth II leaves after attending the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the Senedd in Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday October 14, 2021.

Queen Elizabeth II leaves after attending the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the Senedd in Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday October 14, 2021.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall leave after attending the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the Senedd in Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday October 14, 2021.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall leave after attending the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the Senedd in Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday October 14, 2021.

 

During a speech delivered at the opening of the sixth session of the Senedd, the Queen praised the efforts of all those in Wales who worked to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic.

She listed the institution's major developments since her last visit to Wales five years ago, and said a "debt of gratitude" was owed to its people for their efforts during the pandemic.

In a lighter moment she described how video calls, which the Royal Family used at the height of the lockdown, were a bit "disembodied".

Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, said the new session of the Senedd will be a time for the people of Wales to "look to the future", and he wanted to meet the challenges ahead by promoting "prosperity, equality and well-being for everyone in Wales".

Senedd member Alun Davies was among a group of fellow members introduced to the Queen following the opening ceremony, and after welcoming her to Wales she replied: "Thank you, very nice to come back again."

The Queen added: "Well you're much more sort of – grown up now."

 

Queen Elizabeth II addresses the Senedd inside the Siambr (Chamber) during the ceremonial opening of the Sixth Senedd in Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday October 14, 2021.

Queen Elizabeth II addresses the Senedd inside the Siambr (Chamber) during the ceremonial opening of the Sixth Senedd in Cardiff. Picture date: Thursday October 14, 2021.

 

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall joined the Queen for the opening ceremony and in her speech she said: "I have spoken before about how recent times have, in many ways, brought us closer together.

"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."

The Queen used a walking stick for the second time this week and took a lift to and from a lobby area of the parliament building in Cardiff when she arrived and left.

The event was due to take place shortly after the election in May, but was delayed because of the pandemic.

In his speech the First Minister of Wales also praised the efforts of all those who worked to mitigate the pandemic.

Mr Drakeford said: "We have seen the best of Wales in our health and care system, the shop workers, our teachers, all those public service workers, the businesses and volunteers, whose commitment, dedication and sheer hard work has helped to keep Wales open during this most difficult of times."

He added: "As we look beyond the pandemic, we recognise that we still have many challenges ahead.

"To meet them we will use all of our powers to promote prosperity, equality and well-being for everyone in Wales, and to turn ourselves to that other great crisis of our times, a crisis in climate change and the loss of biodiversity."