// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
King Charles praises Welsh 'sense of belonging' as he opens Senedd
The King said he was proud of his "special connection with Wales"
King Charles III has praised Welsh people's "sense of belonging", as he and Queen Camilla officially opened the Senedd's seventh term.
The visit marked the King's first official meeting with First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth following the election victory of Plaid Cymru - a party rooted in a strong republican tradition.
In his speech to the Senedd, with most of its 96 members in attendance including opposition parties Reform, Labour and the Tories, the King also expressed concern for the impact of climate change on the Welsh countryside.
About 30 protesters by the steps of the Senedd were vocal throughout the royal visit, and one was arrested on suspicion of breaching the Public Order Act.
Chants of "not my King" and "down, down, down with the crown" could be heard from protesters during the visit.
Wales' national poet did not take part in the ceremony as had been planned, after Senedd officials rejected the poem she had written for the event and cancelled her performance.
The King used his visit to the Senedd to say he would return to Wales next week to visit Aberfan, scene of the 1966 coal tip disaster, and met a survivor who had been pulled from the rubble aged six.
A 21-gun salute in Cardiff Bay marked the King's arrival in the city, and Plaid leader ap Iorwerth greeted the King on the Senedd steps, together with the Presiding Officer Huw Irranca-Davies and the Labour Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock, who represented the UK government.
The King praised the "connection between place, people, culture and belonging" found in Wales