“I am very grateful for the condolence addresses which so movingly pay honor to our late sovereign, my dear mother the Queen,” the King said to the Senedd.
“Through all the years of her reign, the land of Wales could not have been closer to my mother’s heart.
“I know she took immense pride in your many great achievements – even as she also felt with you deeply in time of sorrow.
“It must surely be counted the greatest privilege to belong to a land that could inspire such devotion.
“I am resolved to honour that selfless example.”
The monarch added: “I take up my new duties with immense gratitude for the privilege of having been able to serve as Prince of Wales.
“That ancient title, dating from the time of those great Welsh rulers, like Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, whose memory is still rightly honoured, I now pass to my son, William, whose love for this corner of the Earth is made all the greater by the years he himself has spent here.
“Having visited the Senedd regularly since it was founded, and having heard your heartfelt words today, I know we all share the deepest commitment to the welfare of the people of this land and that we will all continue to work together to that end.”