The King paid a moving tribute as he joined a memorial to those who lost their lives in Aberfan sixty years ago today.
As King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William joined survivors, rescuers and members of the community at a reception in Aberfan marking the anniversary, His Majesty reflected on the sorrow still felt six decades after the disaster, which left 144 people in the small mining town dead.
King Charles said ”Today, in our nation and across the world, thoughts will turn to you n Aberfan. Hearts, far from this valley, will ache with yours. Tears, from those who remember and those who at the time were not yet born, will be shed with yours.”
In another poignant touch, it was a survivor of the disaster, Jeff Edwards, who invited King Charles to speak. Jeff was eight years old when he was caught up, with hundreds of others, as a coal heap from Merthyr Vale Colliery slid down on to Aberfan. The disaster, on October 21 1966, saw Pantglas Primary School buried. Twenty houses and a farm were also buried by the slide which was caused by a build up of water running underneath the heap.
King Charles was Prince of Wales at the time.
The words of The King came as he and The Queen as well as the Prince of Wales heard reflections from survivors and family members of those who died as the community came together to remember.
At the start of the day, the royals travelled to Aberfan Memorial garden where King Charles and Prince William both laid wreaths. The Prince of Wales left a card on his tribute also signed by the Princess of Wales which read ”In loving memory and in our hearts – forever”.
In one of the most moving moments of the morning, Queen Camilla stepped forward to place a posy of green and white on the memorial, to honour the 144 who died. Among them were 109 children at Pantglas School who were taking their final classes before their half term break. Five of their teachers also died in the disaster.
The royals then walked the short distance to Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Community Centre for the reception. Among those they met were members of Aberfan Wives which was set up to help mothers who had lost children in the disaster.
Prince William also saw a photo of nine year old twins, Diane and Daphne Fudge, who were caught up in the coal heap slie. Diane did not survive the disaster at Aberfan.
Later, Prince William travelled to Ynysowen Community Primary School where he saw how a new generation are remembering those lost. He unveiled the Aberfan Memorial tree which has been created with input from the children at the school as a lasting tribute to those who died on October 21 1966.
Er cof annwyl.
