King Charles III has officially been proclaimed as the new monarch of the United Kingdom in a landmark ceremony at St James’ Palace in London.
Charles’ proclamation as new sovereign follows the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
The new King inherited his title immediately at the moment of the death of Elizabeth, but officially the proclamation ceremony is performed at the palace with then Accession Council, made up of high-ranking officers of state, politicians, civil servants, members of the Privy Council, and others.
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Today’s meeting (10 September) of the Accession Council was the first time that such events have ever been captured on camera, due to the length of Elizabeth II’s reign.
The event will take place in two parts, with the first taking place with only the council without the presence of the new King, and the second in the throne room and seeing Charles make his personal declaration.
Charles addressed the nation last night on television, conferring new titles onto his son Prince William, as well as talking about the death of the Queen.
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He said: "I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.
"Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.
"Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where The Queen was Head of State, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than 70 years in which my Mother, as Queen, served the people of so many nations.
"In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples.
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"That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty."
He continued: "As The Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.
"And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.
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"My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities."
"It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.
"This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla.
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To his late mother, he said: And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you.
"Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years.
"May ‘flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest’."
Topics: UK News, Royal Family, The Queen, World News
Tom Wood