The King told of his late mother Queen Elizabeth’s love for Wales as he made his first visit to the nation as monarch.
Thousands of flag-waving well-wishers greeted their former prince as he arrived in Cardiff with the Queen Consort yesterday.
In a speech at the Senedd delivered party in Welsh, he said his son William, the new Prince of Wales, also holds a deep love for the country.
His Majesty faced criticism in some quarters for handing the title to his heir, who lived in Anglesey with wife Kate after their 2011 wedding.
But he said yesterday: “I take up my new duties with immense gratitude for the privilege of having been able to serve as Prince of Wales.
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“That ancient title, dating from the time of those great Welsh rulers, like Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, whose memory is still rightly honoured, 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.”
He said that throughout the late Queen’s reign “the land of Wales could not be closer to my mother’s heart”.
He added: “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 by which I always try to live my own life – Ich dien: I Serve.”
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford revealed the King had expressed concern about Welsh families struggling in the cost-of-living crisis.
The Welsh Labour leader added: “He mentioned the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and how that will impact on people here in Wales.
“He is concerned as to how people will manage through what is going to be a difficult winter.”
Royal fans had gathered from before dawn to get a glimpse of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla in the Welsh capital. In the grounds of Cardiff Castle the couple met well-wishers including six-year-old Nia Harvey-Pugh, who handed Camilla a drawing of her and Charles.
Nia, who had been queueing since 7am to see the couple, wrote on her drawing: “To Queen, from Nia.”
Vera Jackson, 39, and husband Mike, 37, were first in the queue outside the castle at 4.45am, having been visiting Mike’s native South Wales from their home in Zurich.
Vera said: “We wanted to come because it’s important to show the King we are all together in this moment and he has our support. It’s not easy for him.”
Cassie Folley, 10, of Penygraig, Rhondda, said: “I felt sad when the Queen died because she was caring, loving and respectful. I want to give the King a cwtch [hug].”
When the royal helicopter touched down on Welsh soil, reservists from 104 Regiment Royal Artillery fired a 21-gun salute as the monarch approached Llandaff Cathedral for a thanksgiving service for his mother.
Paying tribute to the late Queen, the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, said: “Her ability to influence, to utilise soft power – no less significant, no less authoritative – illustrates the wise and careful thought she brought to her role. Prime Ministers found that she was a trusted confidant.
“Her attention to matters of Government, her knowledge of world events and the longevity of her reign gave her an unmatched perspective and ability to see the distant scene.”
* You can now buy Friday's historic Daily Mirror commemorating the death of the Queen here: mirror.co.uk/commemorative
