Charles, Camilla and William to commemorate 60 years since Aberfan disaster

Aberfan, United Kingdom. King Charles will travel to south Wales on Wednesday with his wife, Queen Camilla, and son, Prince William, to commemorate six decades since the Aberfan disaster. The landslide killed 144 people and profoundly affected his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth.

Royal family to meet survivors

Charles, Camilla and William, the heir to the throne, are due to place wreaths in a memorial garden and meet survivors and parents whose children died.

The three senior royals generally undertake engagements separately. Their uncommon joint appearance underscores the significance the family attaches to the disaster.

Jeff Edwards, who survived the landslide aged eight, will address a gathering at a village community centre. Charles is also scheduled to speak before the royals visit Aberfan’s new school, where they will unveil a commemorative sculpture.

School and homes engulfed

In 1966, several days of intense rainfall preceded the collapse of a coal tip. The resulting landslide swept into Aberfan, burying its school and nearby homes.

Children accounted for 116 of the 144 deaths. Most were aged seven to 10.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said his thoughts were with Aberfan’s residents as he marked the disaster’s 60th anniversary on Wednesday.

Elizabeth’s lasting connection

Elizabeth travelled to Aberfan eight days after the disaster. She showed visible emotion while meeting bereaved parents and made several subsequent visits.

On the 50th anniversary, she recalled visiting with Prince Philip and receiving a posy from a young girl. Its inscription read “from the remaining children of Aberfan”.

Over the years, Edwards and Elizabeth came to know one another well. She called him “the little boy with the blond hair”.