King’s gift to Church the Cross of Wales to be officially received

The Cross, which led the Coronation procession at Westminster Abbey in May, includes a relic of the True Cross, given to the King by Pope Francis to mark the Coronation.

The cross had been blessed by the Archbishop of Wales, ahead of the Coronation, at Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno, in April.

Since the Coronation the Cross has been in the care of the Goldsmiths’ Company, who led on its commissioning, and have displayed it at Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London.

It will be presented to the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, by the Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Professor Charles Mackworth-Young, at a short ceremony at Goldsmiths’ Hall on January 25. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff, Mark O’Toole, will also be a guest.

The Cross of Wales.

Welsh love songs will be played during the ceremony by the Royal harpist, Alis Huws, as January 25 is also St Dwynwen’s Day, the Welsh patron saint of lovers.

On its return to Wales, the Cross of Wales will initially be displayed at St Deiniol’s Cathedral, Bangor, the seat of the current Archbishop of Wales, before beginning a tour around all the Welsh cathedrals with the aim of giving everyone an opportunity to see it.

Its use going forward will be shared between the Anglican and Catholic Churches in Wales.

Archbishop Andrew said: “The Cross of Wales is a hugely significant ecumenical symbol. Taking its inspiration from the earliest roots of our Christian history, and inscribed in Welsh with the words of St David, the Cross will remind us all of the heart of our faith. It not only provides a focus of unity across our different traditions, but will also be a lasting sign of The King’s respect and affection for Wales.”

Archbishop Mark added: “I am delighted that the Cross of Wales is coming ‘home’. It is a precious gift to the Welsh people from His Majesty King Charles, and especially so as it contains a relic of the True Cross, generously gifted by Pope Francis. It is not only a sign of the deep Christian roots of our nation but will, I am sure, encourage us all to model our lives on the love given by our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We look forward to the various celebrations that will take place around it, being able to honour it in the dignified setting in which it will find a permanent home among us.”

Designed and made by master silversmith Michael Lloyd, in consultation with the Royal Collection, the Cross of Wales is crafted from recycled silver bullion, provided by the Royal Mint at Llantrisant, a shaft of Welsh windfall timber and a stand of Welsh slate. Words from the last sermon of St David are chased on the back of the Cross in Welsh: “Byddwch lawen. Cadwch y ffydd. Gwnewch y Pethau Bychain”, which translates as: “Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things.”