London
CNN
—
King Charles III consecrated “what remains to me of my life” to “the heavy task entrusted to me” after having been formally confirmed as the new king of uk in a ceremony steeped in tradition and pageantry at St. James’s Palace on Saturday.
Charles became monarch on the death of Queen Elizabeth II Thursday, but Saturday’s event officially confirmed the transition of power.
The King paid tribute to his mother before the assembled Membership Council, saying his mother “had set an example of lifelong love and selfless service”.
“His reign was unequaled in its length, devotion and devotion. Even though we mourn, we give thanks for this most faithful life, ”he said during the historic ceremony, televised for the first time.
The ancient ceremony at London’s 500-year-old St. James’s Palace consists of two parts. In the first part, the death of the sovereign was formally announced and the new sovereign proclaimed. It was a meeting behind closed doors, without King Charles III, in the presence of dignitaries and members of the Privy Council, which is a panel of royal advisers.
British Prime Minister Liz Truss was joined at the event by several of her predecessors in that role, including Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron and Gordon Brown.
Charles was formally proclaimed “King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith” by Clerk of the Privy Council Richard Tilbrook, who then declared “God save the King”, which was repeated by the crowd in the packed hall.
The proclamation confirming Charles as king was then signed by his son William, the new Prince of Wales, and Charles’ wife, Camilla, the Queen consort – both members of the Privy Council. It was also signed by council members Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt, Truss and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
The second part of the Accession Council took place in the presence of the King.
King Charles has also approved orders declaring the day of Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral a UK public holiday, although the date of the funeral has yet to be announced.
Outside the palace at Friary Court, trumpeters played along with a military display, while a cannon salute rang out across the capital from the Tower of London and in Hyde Park after the ceremony. A second proclamation took place an hour later in the heart of the City of London’s financial district, the Royal Exchange.
MPs took the oath of allegiance to King Charles III in the House of Commons on Saturday afternoon.
King Charles III was due to hold audiences at Buckingham Palace with religious leaders and political leaders on Saturday afternoon, according to a palace statement.
The King was due to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Dean of Westminster, Buckingham Palace said. He was also to receive the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, as well as the leaders of the opposition political parties.
Back to BalmoralThe royals – dressed in black – said goodbye to well-wishers at the gates of the royal estate on Saturday afternoon, after returning from a private church service.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York and the late Queen’s second son, shared a hug with his daughter Princess Eugenie as she shed a tear after a walk with the public.
Andrew thanked members of the public for coming, as the Royal Family were greeted by people waving, clapping and laying floral tributes in honor of the Queen.
“We were cleared one day, now we’re starting the process of putting her back,” he said, according to PA Media.