Queen Camilla Wears a Diamond Leek at the Senedd in Cardiff

King Charles III and Queen Camilla headed to Wales on Thursday for the opening of the Senedd, and Camilla brought along one of her favorite Welsh brooches for the occasion.

Charles and Camilla were on hand for Thursday’s ceremonial opening of the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, in Cardiff. They’re pictured here standing beside Huw Irranca-Davies, the Llywydd (Presiding Officer) of the Senedd, in Y Siambr (the debating chamber) of the legislative body. Charles delivered remarks during the ceremony, praising the “enduring strength and continuity of Cymru.”

During a reception after the Senedd opening, Charles and Camilla had the chance to speak with a special person in attendance: Gareth Jones, who was one of the children who survived the Aberfan disaster in 1966. Jones showed the King a photograph of his father, the late Prince Philip, who visited with the Jones family shortly after the tragedy. (“I recognize him!” Charles said with a smile.)

Reporters shared that Jones “was overcome with emotion as he spoke to the monarch” about his experience. He was just six when his teacher pushed him out of the window of Pantglas Junior School, saving his life. The school’s caretaker, Stephen Andrew, helped pull Jones to safety. Andrew’s great-grandson, Noah Jones, offered a posy of flowers to Queen Camilla during the reception.

Charles and Camilla also met Len Moss, a member of the rescue team at Aberfan, during the reception. Moss spent two days washing the faces and hands of children pulled from the rubble so they could be identified by their loved ones. The unimaginable tragedy took place sixty years ago this week, on October 21, 1966. Charles and Camilla, along with Prince William, have confirmed that they will make a visit to Aberfan on Wednesday to commemorate the solemn anniversary.

For Thursday’s parliament opening, Queen Camilla wore a Fiona Clare dress and a Philip Treacy hat, both in the bright red color of the Welsh dragon.

She accessorized with her favorite pair of earrings, which feature diamond floral clips and round pearl drops, as well as a diamond brooch in the shape of a leek.

The brooch, which is shaped like one of Wales’s most important national symbols, has been in Camilla’s collection for many years. She wore it often as the wife of the Prince of Wales, and she has continued to wear it regularly as Queen. Here, she wears the brooch to celebrate the Senedd’s 25th anniversary in 2024.

She also wore the brooch in Wales last November on a visit timed to celebrate the King’s birthday. Here, the brooch stands out against her navy blue coat during a visit to Cyfarthfa Primary School.

Numerous members of the royal family, especially those with strong ties to Wales, have leek brooches in their jewelry boxes. Here, the Princess of Wales is pictured wearing hers during a visit with the Welsh Guards on St. David’s Day in 2023.

Here’s one more look at Camilla wearing her diamond leek brooch as she arrived on Thursday for the Senedd opening in Cardiff.

Camilla kept the rest of her jewelry very simple, wearing her usual rings, including her heirloom royal diamond engagement ring, and a few delicate bracelets on each wrist.

Before I go today, a scheduling note. This is a week packed with state visits, so we should be seeing tiaras dazzling in Britain, Denmark, and Sweden. I’ll be covering these throughout the week, as well as the royal visit to Aberfan. Check back here often to make sure you don’t miss a moment.