Royals join Aberfan community for 60th anniversary remembrance

King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales joined survivors, bereaved families and residents in Aberfan on October 21 to mark 60 years since a coal-waste landslide killed 144 people in the Welsh village. The royal visit included a remembrance at Aberfan Memorial Garden and engagements at a community centre and a local school. The disaster occurred on October 21, 1966, when mining waste slid down the hillside and engulfed Pantglas Junior School and nearby homes. The victims were 116 children and 28 adults. The school stood on the site where the memorial garden is now located. During the anniversary visit, the King and Prince William laid wreaths at the garden, while Queen Camilla placed flowers. The royal party met retired emergency service workers who had responded in the hours and days after the disaster, as well as survivors, bereaved relatives and other members of the community. At Ynysowen Community Primary School, Prince William unveiled the Aberfan Memorial Tree, a new sculpture created for the anniversary. The King, Queen and Prince of Wales also visited the Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Community Centre. Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace later released a...