King Charles and Prince William put on united front after Prince Harry’s plea for reconciliation

King Charles and Prince William made a poignant joint visit to Wales, together with Queen Camilla, on Wednesday.

The royal trio marked the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, remembering the 144 lives lost in the 1966 tragedy, including 109 children and five teachers from Pantglas School.

The disaster in north-west of Cardiff marred the early years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.

The late monarch previously labelled her eight-day delay in visiting those impacted by the coal tip collapse onto the village as one of her biggest regrets.

King Charles, who was not yet formally Prince of Wales when the disaster hit, paid tribute on Wednesday as he visited alongside his wife and son, who is now Prince of Wales as the heir apparent.

The trio started the visit with a trip to the Aberfan Memorial Garden, which sits on the site of Pantglas School, where there was a short prayer followed by a moment of silence.

The King and Prince William laid wreaths in commemoration, while Queen Camilla placed a posy honouring those killed.

His Majesty gave a speech at Merthyr Vale Community Centre, where the royals met with survivors, members of the community and viewed a commemorative exhibition showing the rescue effort involved.

“Over the years, as once again today, it has been profoundly humbling to hear the testimonies of survivors of relatives who lost their loved ones, and of rescuers who fought so hard to save others during this appalling tragedy,” the monarch said.

“We have heard stories of heartbreak, but also of heroism. We have heard of the most agonising grief, but also of the most inspiring grace.

“Today in our nation and across the world, thoughts will turn to you in Aberfan, hearts far from this valley will ache with yours.”

The royals also met with retired members of the emergency services who helped in the hours and days after the collapse, including a now-96-year-old woman who was a police officer in Aberfan at the time.

The King, Queen and Prince of Wales spent time chatting to bereaved parents, former pupils and siblings of those who died during a reception in the community hall. But it wasn’t all solemn, with the royals sharing plenty of laughs.

They also met with members of the Aberfan Wives, a support group established for mothers who lost children in the disaster, as well as the village’s Ynysowen Male Voice Choir, who also formed in the aftermath of the disaster, as a support group for local men to share their experiences.

The visit to Wales, where loss and family were at the heart of the day, came just hours after Prince Harry renewed his plea for reconciliation.

In a new interview with GQ magazine’s One More Question series the Duke of Sussex suggested there were “some people don’t want it to work out”, when referring to repairing the family rift.

His spokesperson later denied the duke was taking a swipe at his brother with the comment.

It marked Prince Harry’s first interview since relocating from the US to the UK for “an extended stay” to be “closer to my family” as he hopes to end the ongoing rift.