As I write this column, I am looking forward to a historic weekend full of community activities and celebration.
From Llanrwst to Llandudno, events have been planned to help bring people together.
Millions of people globally will be coming together to enjoy the coronation of the King and the Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey.
In fact, here in the United Kingdom, the BBC will suspend the licence fee as part of a one-off dispensation for the weekend. This move will allow venues to screen the live coronation ceremony coverage and the coronation concert without needing to purchase a licence!
We are all set to see a service in which Wales is an important theme.
The presence of the royal harpist and Sir Bryn Terfel, along with the Welsh words that will be sung in Westminster Abbey, reflect the commitment the King showed to promoting Welsh culture during his 64 years as Prince of Wales.
In fact, when King Charles is crowned he will be the first monarch since Elizabeth I to be able to speak Welsh!
Since childhood, he has had a deep bond with our country.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II announced in a pre-recorded message at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff that the then nine years old Prince Charles would be the Prince of Wales.
During the his investiture as Prince of Wales on the 1 July 1969 he wore a gold ring, which symbolised his marriage towards Wales.
In the same year he enrolled at Aberystwyth University to take a Welsh Language and Welsh History course.
And it was in 1969 the King was also created the Colonel and Chief of the Royal Regiment of Wales.
Today, he has a personal home in Mid Wales called Llwynywermod.
His Majesty is patron and a trustee of many Welsh charities and organisations, including Age Cymru, the Badger Face Welsh Mountain Sheep Society, and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
In 1976 he founded the Prince’s Trust so to help improve the lives of disadvantaged young people in the UK.
Last year alone the Trust helped over 60,000 young people get into jobs, education and training. Since its foundation, the charity has helped more than a million young people!
There is much more I could say, but I hope to have proven beyond doubt that the King has made a substantial contribution to Wales, and is going forward as monarch with Wales placed firmly in his heart.
Clearly, there are some who question the cost of the monarchy.
Such concern is best addressed with facts.
The total Sovereign Grant for 2021-22, including the dedicated amount for Reservicing, amounted to £86.3m, equivalent to £1.29 per person in the UK.
The British economy is forecast to see a boost of £8.01bn over the coronation weekend, with consumers spending £3.22bn more than a typical May bank holiday (£4.80bn).
So when we are watching the King being crowned, enjoying the concert, indulging in a big lunch, and taking part in the Big Help Out, we will know for certain that alongside being invaluable to our communities, the Royal Family are good for the economy too.
God Save The King!
