King Charles III is coming to Cardiff Castle later this week as part of an official visit and it includes a chance for members of the public to greet him. The new King will be at the castle in the afternoon of Friday, September 16, and large crowds are expected to gather in the city centre.
Members of the public will be able to see the Royal Party travel in a motorcade down St Mary Street following appearances at Llandaff Cathedral and the Senedd, before the royal visitors conclude their Cardiff trip at the castle. The public will then have a chance to enter the castle grounds and greet the King and the Queen Consort in person.
Entry to the castle grounds will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Cardiff council has asked people to avoid bringing large and non-essential bags that will have to be searched and could slow down entry.
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No official opening time for public entry has been given, but a statement from the council said: "We are advising people to expect very long queues from early in the day and unfortunately we will not be able to accommodate everyone who would like to come into the Castle grounds."
The King and Queen Consort will meet representatives from royal patronages and faith communities, and will have a private audience with Mark Drakeford and the Llywydd of the Senedd, Elin Jones. Before departing, the royal pair will greet members of the public in the castle grounds.
The royal pair will also greet school children and members of the local community on Llandaff Green after a prayer service. They will also meet members of the Youth Parliament and the general public at the Senedd after going there to accept a Motion of Condolence from the First Minister.
But the council has warned that opportunities for viewing and parking will be limited especially at the Llandaff event where there will be significant road closures. There will only be limited space around the cathedral itself.
The council is advising anyone planning on travelling to one of the three events to walk or arrive by public transport. The council also asks visitors to plan ahead, dress for the weather, bring water, and be prepared for crowds and long periods of standing.
Members of the public can also leave floral tributes outside City Hall and the council has asked them to remove and take home any plastic wrapping. Books of Condolence will still be open from 9am to 5pm until Monday, September 19, the day of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral.
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