King Charles III and Queen Camilla have officially opened the seventh term of the Senedd, where the King said he felt "immensely privileged and proud to have had such a special connection with Wales".

The King met Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth for the first time since his party Plaid Cymru took hold of the Welsh government, as well as relatives and survivors involved in the 1966 Aberfan coal tip disaster.

Other key moments from today's event:

• While much of the crowds outside the Senedd cheered with Welsh flags aloft, there were about 30 anti-monarchy protestors in attendance who opposed the royal visit
• Chants of "not my King" could be heard throughout and one individual was detained and removed after failing to move away when police tried to disperse the protestors.
• In the King's speech he spoke of the "vital" role of endurance, making reference to the summer heatwaves and his "deep concern" for "rapidly changing planet"
• We also heard from First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth who told the Senedd it was entering a "new chapter" for Welsh democracy
• The National Poet of Wales was scheduled to speak, but her poem was rejected and her performance scrapped on the grounds that the ceremony was "apolitical". Hanan Issa's To Grow refers to Gaza and trans healthcare.

Our live coverage is ending, but you can read more on this story here.

During his speech inside the Siambr earlier, King Charles addressed the Senedd in Welsh.

He later quoted Welsh poet John Ceiriog Hughes, known as Ceiriog.

A smaller crowd than previous ceremoniespublished at 13:43 BST 15 October

13:43 BST 15 October

Tomos Morgan
Wales correspondent

As someone who has attended the past three opening ceremonies at the Senedd, the crowd seemed slightly smaller than previous years - perhaps surprising, given that this seventh opening has significant historical resonance.

It was the first in with a Plaid Cymru first minister and government and the first for King Charles III as the head of state.

As we reflect on the thoughts shared at the ceremony, here's a clip from the first minister's speech.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said the event "marks a new chapter in the story of Wales and its parliament".

"The Senedd we open today is unlike any that has gone before it," he said.

David Deans
Wales political reporter

Huw Irranca-Davies' speech today will probably not make headlines but was particularly striking for its content.

The presiding officer has had a tough job since May, overseeing a more fractious Senedd than the Welsh Parliament has ever been.

Someone involved with the parliament said to me earlier that some of the anger that you now see in debates here is pretty new to the Senedd, which has been very consensus driven in the past.

The Llywydd, as he is also called, has also been asked to rule on language deemed offensive.

In the Siambr he called for parties to find common ground and to show respect - a clear reaction to how the last few months have unfolded.

The royal couple have got into their car and have left Cardiff Bay, ending their royal visit.

In the background, God save the King was played, followed by the Welsh national anthem Hen Wlad fy Nhadau.

Image source, Senedd Cymru

King Charles and Queen Camilla are shaking hands with people waiting outside the Senedd as they make their way through the crowds.

A Welsh language hymn is being sung by chorists in the background.

Families and school pupils have their phones out to film the moment the royal couple walks past.

Annell Dyfri
Reporting from outside the Senedd

More on the protestor who was put in handcuffs by police a short time ago.

He was detained outside the Senedd for Section 14 of public order.

Police tried to impose a dispersal order to try and move protestors and while most moved, one refused.

He was eventually put in handcuffs and led away.

About 30 were gathered by the steps of the Senedd and were very vocal throughout King Charles III's visit.

David Deans
BBC Wales political reporter

Gareth Jones, who survived the Aberfan disaster aged six, has shaken hands with King Charles.

The 67-year-old told our reporter earlier he is here to show the King a photograph of his father meeting him and his sister on the day after the incident took place.

He was rescued by the great-grandfather of Noah Jones, who just presented the Queen with a posy.

Stephen Andrew had saved Gareth's life, pulling him out of the rubble.

Jones earlier told us he thought there is a strong connection between the community of Aberfan and the Royal family.

"It's amazing for me to come here today and represent the people of Aberfan and show him this picture," he said.

Huw Thomas
BBC Wales correspondent

A poignant moment as the royal visit draws to a close.

As the King and Queen left the Senedd, they were presented with flowers by Noah, a young boy whose story BBC Wales News featured earlier this year ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.

Noah discovered that his great-grandfather, Stephen Andrew, was the school caretaker who helped save the life of Aberfan survivor Gareth Jones in October 1966.

Gareth is also at today's royal opening, representing some of the many children saved by Noah's great-grandfather on one of Wales' darkest days.

The King and Queen, along with the Prince of Wales, will return to south Wales next week to pay their respects at the Aberfan memorial garden exactly 60 years since the disaster.

Read more about Noah and Gareth's story here

Image source, Senedd Cymru

A protestor, dressed in a traditional Welsh woman's costume, has been restrained by police officers outside the Senedd.

Image source, Getty Images

Queen Camilla is wearing a red wool crepe coat by Fiona Clare, a red felt beret by Philip Treacy, and a brooch in the shape of a leek - a Welsh national symbol - today in the Senedd.

The Queen and the King are currently meeting invited guests included Senedd members inside the parliament building.

Annell Dyfri
Reporting from outside the Senedd

The protesters here started singing Yma o Hyd - a folk song meaning 'we're still here' as the royal couple entered the Senedd and the guards left the Senedd steps.

Huw Irranca-Davies says the "wonderful" choir performance concludes formal proceedings.

"It has been a privilege to open this seventh Senedd in what marks a historic chapter for Wales," he adds.

The presiding officer ends the ceremony in the Senedd, and the King and Queen have begun leaving the Siambr.

It was during this section of the ceremony that the National Poet of Wales was scheduled to speak, but as we have reported that is not taking place.

As planned, O Gymru is being performed by Merched Plastaf - a choir from three Welsh-medium schools in Cardiff.

Rhun ap Iorweth says this gathering marks a "new chapter" for national democracy and that it is an opening "unlike any that has gone before it".

The Senedd expanded to 96 members ahead of this year's elections, which represents a "significant moment in the continued evolution of Welsh democracy," adds the first minister.

He says the parliament is "strengthened in its capacity to scrutinise" as a result of the change.

"Wherever we can work together we should do so," says the first minister.

"The Senedd doesn't belong to one government or any one political party. It belongs to the people of Wales. It is here to represent them and to legislate on the people's behalf," he says.

"We all have a part to play to ensure this parliament is not an echo chamber."

Ap Iorwerth adds that the challenges facing Wales are significant, and says the public expects the Senedd to "work hard".

They will judge MSs by their ability to improve their everyday lives, he adds.

Image source, Senedd Cymru

It is a honour to address the ceremonial opening of the seventh Senedd, says Rhun ap Iorwerth.

"Today is a day of celebration and renewal," says the first minister.

He says they father to mark a "new chapter of the story of Wales and its parliament."

He says it the current Senedd unlike any that has gone before it. He calls it a "young parliament that has come of age".

"It represents a significant moment in the continued evolution of Wales democracy."

He says the Senedd "reflects the Wales of today".

"I've always felt immensely privileged and proud to have had such a special connection with Wales, with its language, its culture and its landscape," says the King.

"The character and identity of Wales have always been built from the strength of its places, and the relationships of trust, service and neighbourliness found within them - that distinctively Welsh idea of connection, the profound, profound connection between place, people, culture and belonging."

He urges Senedd members to "bear always in mind" those shared strengths as they "take forward your task of government".

King Charles emphases the "vital" role of endurance.

"It is true of language and culture, of course, and we are fortunate to have with us in the chamber here today my harpist, Mared, who has brought the magic of the Welsh musical tradition to the world."

The King adds "endurance is true of our land", too, making reference to the summer heatwaves and his "deep concern" for "rapidly changing planet".