The Vicar and Wardens of St Giles’ Church in Wrexham have welcomed King Charles III and The Queen Consort to a service to formally mark the conferral of city status.

Revd Canon Dr Jason Bray led the service which was attended by civic representatives from across the city. The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, closed the service with a blessing for Their Majesties and the city.

During the service, His Majesty, The King gave a short speech saying: “As you know, city status was granted to eight different communities in order to celebrate my late mother’s Platinum Jubilee. As we now mark this historic occasion, we also look back, with mingled sadness and pride, at that extraordinary reign, during which, as you know, my mother’s great love for Wales was always apparent.

“It is thoroughly fitting that we should celebrate the creation of Wales’s newest city in the setting of this magnificent church, which truly deserves its designation as one of the Seven Wonders of Wales.”

His Majesty ended by telling the hundreds strong congregation: “So, ladies and gentlemen, as you celebrate your new-found status for this very special part of the world, nothing could give me greater pleasure than to say llongyfarchiadau and to wish you every possible success for the future.”

After the service, Bishop Gregory said: “I think it surprised everyone when the small and ancient city of St Asaph was awarded the Royal Charter in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, but I’m delighted that North Wales’ most prominent conurbation has now levelled up to City status. Wrexham deserves to be at the forefront of Welsh national life and The King has now affirmed its role and its ambitions.”

Canon Jason Bray said: “St Giles’ has stood as a visible Christian witness at the heart of Wrexham for many centuries, and we as a church community are thrilled that The King and The Queen Consort have visited, and to begin the new chapter of the City of Wrexham in its ancient but still living church.”

After the service, The King and The Queen Consort spent time talking to local representatives, including the Mission Area Leader of Wrexham, Canon Jonathan Smith and the verger of St Giles, Stella Whitham. She and her husband, Paul, offer a ministry of hospitality at the church, regularly cooking and serving refreshments and meals to those visiting.

The King and Queen Consort were also given a tour of the church’s treasures, including a First Edition King James Bible and a rare 14^th century chalice which is still used in the church today.

Wrexham was granted city status in the summer of 2022.