Aberfan: Why tragedy remains deeply painful memory for Royal Family as King, Queen and William step out in Wales
Queen Elizabeth II's hesitation to immediately visit the community weighed heavily on the late monarch for the rest of her life
TL;DR
- The Aberfan disaster on October 21, 1966, killed 116 children and 28 adults when a colliery spoil tip collapsed.
- Queen Elizabeth II's delay of eight days before visiting Aberfan was a source of pain and considered a significant misjudgment.
- The press heavily criticized the Queen's hesitation, and it was later identified as her greatest regret.
- The Queen made repairing her relationship with Aberfan a priority, returning multiple times and maintaining a close association.
- King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Prince William visited the community to commemorate the tragedy.