King's tribute as hundreds gather for Lord Elis-Thomas funeral

Tributes have flooded in for former Plaid Cymru leader Lord Elis-Thomas from an array of prominent figures including King Charles, as hundreds gather for his funeral.

Mourners are attending the service for the Senedd's first presiding officer at Cardiff's Llandaff Cathedral, including senior politicians past and present.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas died on 7 February aged 78 following a short illness and was described during Friday's service as "one of the most influential Welsh political figures of the past 50 years".

In a letter, the King said he "brought an independence of mind and a generosity of spirit, not to mention a wit, that I always found immensely impressive".

The former culture minister represented the north-west Wales constituency of Dwyfor Meirionnydd in the Senedd for 22 years, having previously spent 18 years as an MP.

As expected, the congregation is a who's who of Welsh public life over the past 50 years. There are serving and former first ministers, cabinet members past and present, senior civil servants, and dozens of other politicians from across the political spectrum.

The eulogy was delivered by Lord Elis-Thomas' friend and biographer Dr Aled Eirug, who described him as a "brave and bold politician", a "patriot" and "our nation builder" as well as "a fine man to share a glass of wine with".

He told the congregation that Lord Elis-Thomas' wife, Mair, received hundreds of letters following his death, including one from King Charles.

In the letter, the King said: "Our public life will be so very much the poorer without his thoughtful and stimulating presence.

"There can be few people who have contributed so much to the lives of their nation, in so many fields, for so long.

"I hope it will be of at least some small comfort to you, in your loss, to know the enormous respect in which your husband was held by so many people from all walks of life."

Elin Jones, the current Llywydd – presiding officer - of the Senedd described Lord Elis-Thomas as "one of the founding fathers of the Senedd" and said he had "dedicated his life to public service".

Ms Jones said he had set the Senedd "and indeed all of Wales on a trajectory for the 21st Century".

"He was well-liked by a lot of people, he was always very friendly and engaging and in particular, he was well-liked and respected across the political parties," she said.

"All of Wales will be remembering Dafydd Elis-Thomas today... and thanking him for his lifetime of public service to our country."

Ieuan Wyn Jones, deputy first minister from 2007 to 2011, said he would not have entered politics without the support he received from Lord Elis-Thomas.

Mr Jones, who led Plaid Cymru from 2000 to 2012, said it was "difficult to encapsulate everything that he did in a short space of time".

He added Lord Elis-Thomas' work as the presiding officer of the Senedd turning it from a "very fragile flower" into a "proper parliament" will be his lasting legacy.

He added: "I think that what you've got to remember is that Dafydd Elis-Thomas was a unique character and he wanted to see Wales in the way that he always thought best."

Although Mr Jones said "we all regretted the fact that he left the party", he thinks Lord Elis-Thomas "wanted to serve Wales in different ways and he managed to do that".

National arts and media organisations are also represented here and there at the service, as are those who would have crossed paths with Lord Elis-Thomas during his time as chair of the Welsh language board and minister for culture.

Leading the service, the former Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan listed descriptions of Lord Elis-Thomas including "provocateur, inclusive, inspirational leader, joyful, bon viveur".

"The cornerstone of our Senedd," he added.

First Minister Eluned Morgan gave a reading from the Bible and novelist Robin Llywelyn read the poem Pa beth yw dyn? [What is man?] by Waldo Williams.

Opera singer Gwyn Hughes Jones also performed.

Following the service, the funeral cortege will pass the Senedd in Cardiff Bay where he served as Llywydd for the first 12 years of devolution.

Lord Elis-Thomas was one of only three Welsh politicians to have served in the House of Commons, the House of Lords and in Cardiff Bay.

He was a Plaid Cymru MP between 1974 and 1992 - serving as the party's leader between 1984 and 1991.

He was later part of the Plaid Cymru group in Cardiff Bay but left the party in 2016 to sit as an independent member.

The following year he joined Carwyn Jones' Labour government as the minister for culture, sport and tourism.

Lord Elis-Thomas stood down from the Senedd in 2021.