For more than half a century he held the title of Prince of Wales, but on Friday in the autumn sunshine, Charles was flown by helicopter across the Severn from his Gloucestershire country home for his first visit to the country as king.
The reaction from the crowds lining the streets of the Welsh capital was largely warm, but he was booed as he entered Cardiff Castle by anti-monarchy protesters and there were small demonstrations at Llandaff Cathedral and the Senedd building.
Charles is not universally popular in Wales and his announcement that William will be named Prince of Wales has been met with anger by many. Some see it as a symbol of English oppression of Wales.
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Protesting outside the cathedral, where Charles and the Queen consort attended a service of prayer and reflection with the Prime Minister, Liz Truss, was Laura Thomas-Walters, 29, a conservation scientist.
He said: “In the 21st century in a democratic country, an unelected head of state has no place. It is an antiquated system of class oppression and class inequalities, which is particularly odious at a time when inequalities are increasing so quickly
“A lot of people will pay their heating bills this winter, but we’ll pay millions for a coronation, a funeral, a stamp change and Charles won’t pay a penny in inheritance tax. I don’t think the title of Prince of Wales should exist. If it did, it should belong to a Welshman.”
Inside the cathedral, the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, said the Queen had been able to bring people together in difficult circumstances, such as her visit to the site of the 1966 Aberfan disaster, where 144 people went lost his life when a coal tip collapsed. in a primary school. Members of the Aberfan Wives group were among those invited to a reception for the King at Cardiff Castle later.
The Welsh language was very much front and center at the service with First Minister Mark Drakeford reading the first Book of Kings in Welsh. Camilla wore a silver leek brooch given to her by the Queen.
After the service, Charles and Camilla took a walk on Cathedral Green.
Susie Eardley, who gave the King a red rose, said: “He gave me a rose in 1983 when he visited a conservation project at Dunraven Castle in South Wales. He had a red rose on his lapel and pinned it to my overalls I thought I’d give her a rose today.
Lynda Fowler was beside herself with joy at her meeting with the king. She said: “It touched my veteran’s badge. I was in the RAF. I can’t wait to tell my grandchildren, they will be so excited.”
One man shouted: “We pay £100m a year for you, and why?”
Queen Elizabeth II’s children were due to pay their respects at their mother’s coffin ahead of her state funeral at a princely vigil at Westminster Hall on Friday evening.
The King, Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex were to stand at the four corners of the catafalque, a tribute they first performed at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
On Saturday evening, the Queen’s eight grandchildren will hold a vigil by her coffin.
As non-working members of the Royal Family, both Prince Andrew and Prince Harry have been allowed to wear uniforms for solemn vigils at the request of the King.
Charles also met with religious leaders at Buckingham Palace on Friday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Pirbright Army Training Center in Surrey to meet Commonwealth troops who are due to take part in the Queen’s state funeral.
Charles’ visit to Wales coincided with Owain Glyndŵr Day, which celebrates the life and legacy of the last Prince of Wales. Llandaff Cathedral was damaged during Glyndŵr’s fight against the English in the 15th century.
In the Senedd, the Welsh parliament, Charles said his mother had been proud of the county’s achievements and was very sad. He said: “Throughout all the years of her reign, the land of Wales could not be closer to my mother’s heart.”
Addressing the Senedd in both Welsh and English, the King said his mother had been immensely proud of Wales and devoted to the country. Charles’s attitude towards the Senedd is important. The Queen was a friend of the devolved institution and her support, especially given that the English Conservative establishment is often held in contempt, may help.
Laura McAllister, professor of public policy and Welsh government at Cardiff University, said: “Having the Queen’s support helped add gravitas, status, legitimacy and profile to an institution that was crying out for it at the beginning . I think Charles will approach his commitment to giving back the same way.”
Auriol Miller, director of the Institute of Welsh Affairs, said: “It is encouraging to hear the King make clear his intention to serve the whole union.”
There was a small protest outside the Senedd, but a larger one at the gates of Cardiff Castle, where Charles had a private audience with Drakeford.
The banners included the slogans: “Abolish the monarchy”, “Citizen not subject” and “Democracy now”. Glyndŵr flags flew and one man held up a sign that read: “End the title of Prince of Wales.”
Organizers had said the protest would be silent, but there were boos when the King entered the castle. One protester, Ryan, from Newport, South Wales, said: “Monarchy is a feudal anachronism. Passing power to others by virtue of inheritance does not seem to me to be compatible with the principle of democracy. We should rethink”.