Queen looks radiant in pink as she steps out with a walking stick again to open Welsh parliament

The Queen put on a vibrant appearance as she attended the sixth ceremonial opening of the Senedd today.

The monarch, 95, arrived alongside the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall as they visited the Welsh Parliament building in Cardiff.

Dressed in a pink coat and matching hat, the royal cut a colourful figure as she made her way down the red carpet with a walking stick.

Prince Charles wore a mask throughout the event, while the Queen went mask-free inside the venue. It is not clear why there was in inconsistency in the royals wearing masks.

Buckingham Palace told Wales Online that arrangements ‘complied with current Scottish Covid regulations and guidance’.

When asked whether the Queen would wear a mask or was exempt, the Palace said: ‘Having worked closely with the palace, all arrangements for this event comply with current Welsh Government Covid regulations and guidance.’

The Queen wore a diamond daffodil brooch in a nod to the national flower of Wales. In her speech, the monarch  admitted that the pandemic had ‘brought people closer together, and closed the speech by giving her ‘heartfelt thank you’ in Welsh. 

Meanwhile, Camilla, 74, looked radiant in a red coat dress and coordinating hat, smiling as she ascended the red carpet with Prince Charles, 73, who wore a mask. 

It is the first time the royal has visited Wales in five years. The event was due to take place shortly after the election in May, but was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Queen made a speech in the Senedd chamber, followed by addresses from Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford and Senedd speaker Elin Jones. 

The monarch 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 – 3 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. 

‘It is a source of pleasure that both The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, together with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have had homes in Wales, and experienced its very special sense of community.’

There will be a mixture of recorded and live performances from Welsh artists, centred around the theme Your Voice. 

Mr Drakeford said the Queen opening the Senedd ‘marks the significance of the Parliament’ in the nation.

He told Sky News: ‘Decisions are made in four different parliaments and I know the Queen has always taken very seriously the job that she does in marking that.

‘As I say, she’s never missed an opening of a new Senedd term and despite the circumstances, and her age, she will be making that effort again today.’

Members of the royal family will also greet pupils from Mount Stuart Primary School at the front of the Senedd, where the Welsh and British national anthems will be played, and a royal salute will be given by the Royal Navy with the Band of the Royal Marines.

The WNO Youth Opera – which has not performed live in 18 months due to coronavirus restrictions – will perform Ar Lan y Mor.

Other party leaders, members of Wales’s first Youth Parliament and local dignitaries who have supported their communities during the pandemic will also get the chance to meet the royal party.

The ceremonial mace will be carried into the Senedd by a member of the the security team, Shahzad Khan, and placed in its sconce to signify the official opening of the sixth Senedd.

Earlier this month, the Queen officially opened the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.