King hails Wales' 'special connection' as national poet is barred from Senedd ceremony over Gaza poem

King Charles has addressed the Senedd in Cardiff, declaring a 'special connection' with Wales at the ceremonial opening of the seventh term — but the occasion was overshadowed after national poet Hanan Issa was dropped from the programme. Senedd officials rejected her poem 'To Grow', which referenced Gaza and trans healthcare, saying the ceremony was 'apolitical'. Issa, who had already reworked the poem into more abstract language, said she was told it still had an 'edge' — and pulled out entirely.

Issa called it 'quite concerning' that a poem raising political issues was unwelcome in the very chamber built for political debate.

This marks the first time Charles has opened the Senedd as King; he and Camilla last attended the ceremony in 2021 alongside Queen Elizabeth II.

Charles also met Noah Jones, 10, whose great-grandfather Stephen Andrew helped save children's lives at Pantglas Junior School during the 1966 Aberfan disaster.