The Prince & Princess of Wales Make Poignant Aberfan Visit

Growing up, I vividly remember my grandmother's recollections of post-war Britain. I've held a lifelong interest in history, which I think goes some way to explaining my fascination with royals, tradition and the significance of the pageantry it offers. My grandmother was in her mid-thirties when the Aberfan disaster devastated Wales in 1966. She had close friends living nearby who relayed to her events which struck through the heart of the United Kingdom. If you can, imagine an ordinary day in a sleepy coal-mining village, children cheerily waving goodbye to their parents and walking to Pantglas Junior School without the slightest idea in the world many of them would never return home again. A colliery spill tip located on a mountain slope above the village would cause a catastrophic downhill slide and eventually claim the lives of 116 children and 28 adults.

In what I think is undoubtedly their most weighty engagement in Wales since becoming Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate visited Aberfan today to pay their respects to a tragedy which left an indelible mark on the country which can never be erased.

When the tragedy occurred, Queen Elizabeth II's reaction led to what is considered one of the greatest regrets of her reign. Very quickly after the disaster, Prince Philip, Lord Snowdon (who was married to Princess Margaret at the time) and Prime Minister Harold Wilson visited the scene to offer their condolences. It was days before the late Queen visited, and decades later, her then private secretary, Lord Charteris, lamented giving the monarch poor advice: "We told her to stay away until the preliminary shock had worn off." He said it was "the biggest regret of her reign". The Queen would go on to visit Aberfan on multiple occasions, building a long and lasting bond with the village.

Embed from Getty Images

More from the BBC:

"Cardiff-born journalist Brian Hoey, who covered the Aberfan disaster for BBC Wales, said the world's media was there to capture the moment.

"I couldn't believe how sympathetic she was," he said.

"I knew she would feel sympathy because she had young children of her own by that time. She had Andrew and Edward who were both little children so she could sympathise and empathise with the parents who were there.

"But she was absolutely wonderful and they were talking to her, they were asking her questions and telling her what they felt and it was absolutely very endearing to see it."

The King and Queen (as Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall) made multiple appearances at memorials and really took the time to get to know Aberfan and its people. Like my own grandmother, King Charles reflected on remembering where he was when the disaster struck during a speech marking the 50th anniversary: "Anyone who is old enough can remember where they were when they heard the appalling news about the Aberfan disaster. I was at school in Scotland, having just returned from a period at school in Australia, and I can never forget the feeling of utter despair as I heard of the unspeakable tragedy that had befallen your community -- Aberfan showed the world the darkest sorrow, but also the most shining selflessness: a spirit which endured not just for the time of crisis, but for a lifetime."

Today, the torch feels officially passed to William and Kate as they made their first visit.

The couple laid flowers at the Aberfan Memorial Garden with a message which read: "In lasting memory."

The Aberfan Memorial Garden sits on the site of Pantglas Junior School. It was opened in 1974 by Her late Majesty. It provides a memorial for all those who lost their lives; a place for families to go and for those who wish to pay their respects.

William and Kate were shown a tree in memory of all who lost their lives.

Both the late Queen and the new King planted trees in the garden over the years. William and Kate were shown both during their walk. They were guided by Aberfan survivor David Davies and Professor Peter Vaughan, Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan.

The couple had the opportunity to spend time with survivors and their families.

They spent time with trustees from the Aberfan Memorial Trust who ensure meticulous care is taken of the garden.

They also met with members of the Aberfan Wives group who lost relatives in the disaster.

The couple then met locals from the village.

There were smiling faces waiting to greet them.

School children waving flags.

And welcoming waves from windows :)

They had the opportunity to meet more survivors and hear their stories.

The Mirror reports:

'In the crowd before William and Kate entered the garden today was disaster survivor Gareth Jones, 63, who crawled out of a window of the school as his classmates were buried alive by the black landslide.

Gareth chatted with Kate outside the memorial gardens and said: "I told her I was a survivor - I think she was quite surprised.

"She said she has three little children herself and can’t imagine what we went through. She said she felt for all the bereaved parents.

"I spoke to Prince William after, he wanted to know the effect on families in the aftermath of what happened.

"I told him: “We just had to get on with it."'

If any situation best displayed the duality of royal engagements, it would undoubtedly be the moment Kate met 1-year-old Daniel and his mother Lucy Williams. Daniel took an instant liking to Kate's Mulberry handbag and...well...decided "give it here" :) Much to the amusement of the Princess, might I add.

Afterwards, Lucy told ITV News: "I think she sympathised with how hard it is with children. She said, 'He can have it to play with, I'll come back for it!' Like it was any other person in the street. It's typical him though. He's a bit of a hurricane, I wouldn't expect anything less!" Little Daniel's grandmother described the moment as "priceless" and "one to remember".

Embed from Getty Images

A full video from the engagement.

The Princess chose a very fitting and understated look for the solemn occasion in a repeated black custom-made Catherine Walker coat she's worn on several occasions.

Kate wore her grey plaid ZARA dress. The sold-out piece was described as: "Flowing long sleeve dress featuring a high neck with ties and a V-shaped opening, an elastic inner waist, a detachable belt in matching fabric with a covered buckle, and front button fastening."

Below, Kate wearing the houndstooth dress in Bradford in 2020.

That handbag is Kate's Mulberry Amberley.

Kate wore her black suede Gianvito Rossi boots with block heel. Kate's pair are bespoke with a round toe; the brand's Glen 85 are a close match.

The Princess accessorised with her Emily Mortimer Hera earrings.

And very fittingly her diamond Leek Brooch. The Leek is the national emblem of Wales.

************

You can catch up on day one of the Wales trip by clicking here. It was a day of outdoor adventure with the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team which ended with pizza and laughs at Dowlais Rugby Club.

During the walkabout yesterday, Kate spoke quite candidly about the late Princess Diana. In fact, I would say perhaps the most openly we've heard the Princess discuss her late mother-in-law. Kate told one well-wisher: "It's the same ring and it was exactly the same size when I tried it on. With the children and the grandchildren, she would've loved being a grandmother so much. She'd be brilliant. We miss her every day." Kate said she was "honoured" to wear the ring, adding, "Sadly, I never got to meet her."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LAURA-ANN (@all.thats.pretty)

According to People, William and Kate spent last night at a local bed and breakfast.

And that's a wrap on a pre-coronation trip to Wales which was filled with memorable moments. Tomorrow, William and Kate celebrate their twelfth wedding anniversary (it would be a good time for a new official portrait, wouldn't it? :))

We're now just eight days from the Coronation...