King Charles recognises Aberfan survivor Jeff Edwards with prestigious OBE

Aberfan disaster survivor Jeff Edwards has been honoured with an OBE by King Charles during a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

The 67-year-old, who was the last child rescued alive from the 1966 tragedy, received the award on Wednesday, for his dedicated services to fellow survivors, charity, and the Merthyr Tydfil community.

Mr Edwards was just eight years old when a coal waste tip engulfed Pantglas Junior School, claiming the lives of 116 children and 28 adults.

Reflecting on the "totally unreal" experience of standing before the King, Mr Edwards noted that His Majesty enquired warmly after the Aberfan wives' group. "He said 'nice to see you again, Mr Edwards', because I've met him several times before," he told the BBC.

Beyond his local contributions, Mr Edwards has utilised his lived experience to inform the development of essential support services for victims of modern tragedies.

He played a pivotal role in the Hillsborough Charter, collaborating with survivors of the Manchester bombing and Grenfell Tower fire to ensure public services adopt more empathetic protocols.

"It's important that survivors of any disaster have the proper support to get through the trauma," he stated. Mr Edwards previously served as the Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil, where he was famously reunited with Roy Thomas, the fireman who dug him from the rubble.

This honour further strengthens the lifelong link between the British monarchy and Aberfan, a relationship famously initiated by the late Queen Elizabeth II during her first visit to the village eight days after the horrific events of 1966.