Tangier – King Charles III was formally proclaimed the United Kingdom’s new monarch in a historic televised ceremony on Saturday morning at St James’s Palace.
During the ceremony, Britain’s new king gave a personal statement in which he paid warm tribute to his mother, late Queen Elizabeth II, and vowed to serve his kingdom.
During the constitutional ceremony, which saw the presence of around 700 members of the Accession Council, Charles swore to uphold the constitution, serve the Church of Scotland, and signed the proclamation that officially made him the new monarch.
“To all of us as a family, as to this kingdom and the wider family of nations of which it is a part, my mother gave an example of lifelong love and selfless service,” the 73-year-old monarch said.
King Charles ascended to the throne immediately after the death of his mother, 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8 after a record 70-year-record of ruling.
Charles III said that he was “deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty” that were passed to him.
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Speaking about the queen’s passing, the new king said: “I know how deeply you and the entire nation, and I think may say the whole world, sympathize with me in this irreparable loss we have all suffered.”
The monarch approved a number of orders, including declaring the date of the late queen’s funeral a national holiday. The funeral is expected the take place next week.
The new king concluded by pledging to “follow the inspiring example of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and take his new “ heavy responsibilities of sovereignty.”
Charles’s wife Camilla Parker Bowles and his eldest son William, Prince of Wales, stood alongside the king as he delivered his statement.
