KING CHARLES has arrived at Parliament for the State Opening as Sir Keir Starmer faces the most serious crisis of his premiership.

The monarch and Queen Camilla travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, with the Imperial State Crown and Sword of State taken separately to Parliament ahead of the ceremony.

But the traditional pageantry has been overshadowed by growing questions over the Prime Minister’s future, following heavy Labour losses in last week’s elections and mounting unrest inside the party.

Unions turn on Starmer

The pressure intensified this morning when Labour’s 11 affiliated unions, including Unite, Unison, the GMB and Community, issued a joint statement saying it was now “clear” Sir Keir would not lead Labour into the next general election.

They said Labour had failed to deliver enough of the change working people voted for, despite some progress on employment rights and the minimum wage.

The intervention is significant because the unions remain among Labour’s most important financial and organisational backers.

Streeting meeting fuels speculation

Speculation over Sir Keir’s future intensified further after Health Secretary Wes Streeting made a brief visit to Downing Street on Wednesday morning.

Streeting, widely viewed as a potential leadership contender, was seen arriving at No 10 before leaving less than twenty minutes later — a meeting so short that Westminster insiders immediately began questioning its purpose.

The unusually brief talks triggered fresh rumours of behind-the-scenes discussions over the Prime Minister’s future, although allies of both men attempted to play down suggestions of an imminent leadership move.

Streeting has previously denied plotting against Sir Keir, but many Labour MPs now believe a challenge could come within days if the crisis deepens further.

More than eighty Labour MPs are reported to have called for Sir Keir to stand down, although no rival has yet secured the numbers needed to trigger a formal contest.

For now, Sir Keir is refusing to resign and insists he will continue governing. But with ministerial resignations, a bruising election result, and the unions now openly discussing a future leadership change, the Prime Minister’s position looks increasingly fragile.

The King’s Speech is expected to set out the Government’s legislative programme for the new parliamentary session, including plans on the economy, immigration, energy costs and closer ties with the EU.

The State Opening, one of the most ceremonial events in the parliamentary calendar, began with the traditional search of the Palace of Westminster by the Yeomen of the Guard — a ritual dating back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Sir Keir left No 10 with his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, shortly before the ceremony.

MPs will later debate the King’s Speech in the Commons, where opposition parties are expected to use the occasion to test the Prime Minister’s authority.

Public invited to help shape new heritage centre exhibition

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to view the emerging exhibition designs for the new Henry Tudor Centre in Pembroke.

The centre, due to open in spring 2027, will be based at South Quay and will tell the story of Henry Tudor, the son of Pembroke who went on to become Henry VII and founder of the Tudor dynasty.

The exhibition designs will be on display at Pembroke Town Hall from Friday, May 22, to Friday, May 29.

The Henry Tudor Trust, which will operate the new heritage centre, is asking residents and visitors to give their views on how Henry Tudor’s story should be told.

The designs have been developed by exhibition specialists Image Makers, with feedback forms available for members of the public to submit comments. These responses will help refine the exhibition as the project develops.

The new logo for the centre, created by Haverfordwest-based marketing company Media2Motion, will also be on display.

Work is currently underway to refurbish the Grade II-listed building at South Quay, which will house the new exhibition. The centre will also include a new public library, replacing the current library on The Commons, as well as a café.

The capital project is being funded by the Welsh Government, UK Government and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Additional support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will fund a programme of events and activities at the new centre, alongside volunteering opportunities and educational resources for schools.

The exhibition plans can be viewed at Pembroke Town Hall from Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to 3:00pm, and Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm. The town hall is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

YOUNG competitors at this year’s Eisteddfod yr Urdd will be competing for a Chair and Crown rooted deeply in the landscape, history and coastline of Ynys Môn.

The Chair and Crown for Eisteddfod yr Urdd Ynys Môn 2026 were unveiled on Tuesday evening (May 12) at a special event at Oriel Môn, Llangefni.

This year’s Chair has been made by carpenter Siôn Edwards, from Llanfaelog, working from a design concept by architect Rhiannon Williams, of DEWIS Architecture. It is sponsored by the Anglesey Agricultural Society.

The Crown has been created by jeweller Myfanwy Jones, originally from Llanfairpwll, with sponsorship from local estates, lettings and management agency Eiddo Cyf.

A chair inspired by rivers

The Chair’s design takes inspiration from the theme “from the rivers to the sea”, as well as the windmills of Anglesey.

Siôn Edwards, a former Design and Technology teacher who now works as a self-employed carpenter, said the theme immediately appealed to him.

He said: “Fishing is one of my main hobbies, and I also set up the Cefni Conservation Group a few years ago to improve the condition of our island’s rivers, so I was very enthusiastic when I heard ‘from the rivers to the sea’.”

The Chair has been made from locally sourced sustainable ash, found after a lengthy search at Cwm Cynfal, near Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Its exposed joints are both a design feature and a practical choice, allowing the Chair to be repaired in future if needed.

The piece also contains a link to Anglesey’s maritime past. The wedges in the Chair have been made using wood from an old RNLI lifeboat, Thomas Lingham the 4th, which left Rhosneigr in 1924 and may have been involved in the D-Day landings.

Siôn said: “A small part of the amazing story of Rhosneigr’s lifeboat now lives on in the Chair too.”

Crown reflects island beaches

The Crown has been designed by Myfanwy Jones, who studied Jewellery Design at Central Saint Martins in London before spending fifteen years living and working in the capital.

She returned to Ynys Môn in 2022 and said it was a special opportunity to create the Urdd Crown.

She said: “It’s lovely being back home, and what an amazing opportunity to create the Crown for the Eisteddfod this year – I’ve never designed a crown before.”

Before beginning the design, Myfanwy asked people on Instagram what came to mind when they thought of Ynys Môn. The most popular answer was beaches.

The finished Crown is made from brass and includes two opal stones, small jade stones and soft green velvet inside, echoing the colours of Anglesey’s coastline.

Myfanwy said: “It will be great to go to the Maes in my local area, and to see who takes home the Crown.”

‘Ynys Môn is ingrained’

Llio Maddocks, Director of the Arts at Urdd Gobaith Cymru, said: “Ynys Môn is ingrained into the Chair and the Crown of the Urdd this year; their connection to the island can be seen and felt in every little detail, from the designs and materials to the stories and history that live within these beautiful objects.

“We can’t wait for the Eisteddfod in the hope that we will see two winners take home this year’s Chair and Crown. We would like to thank the talented artists, committees and sponsors for their tireless work and generous support.”

Eisteddfod yr Urdd Ynys Môn 2026 will be held at the Anglesey Show Ground from Saturday, May 23, to Friday, May 29.

The Chairing ceremony will take place on the Thursday, sponsored by the Ivor and Aeres Evans Trust. The Crowning ceremony will be held on the Friday, with support from the James Pantyfedwen Foundation.