Several hundred representatives of the special council – the “Accession Council” – tasked with announcing who will succeed Queen Elizabeth II to the British crown met on Saturday morning.
The Council consists of prominent Britons and advisers to the royal household.
Just after ten o’clock local time, Conservative MP Benny Morton stepped out into a hall at St James’s Palace and said:
– Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now King Charles III.
In the King’s speech, he again paid tribute to his mother, who was the longest-serving monarch in British history at 70 years on the throne.
– I am deeply aware of the enormous responsibility that has now fallen upon me. Charles III said, “I will strive to follow my mother’s inspiring example, to uphold constitutional government, and to bring peace, harmony and prosperity to the people of these islands and the Commonwealth of Nations and the world.”
In effect, he became king Meanwhile Queen Elizabeth was found dead at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday. Saturday’s announcement formally confirmed that he is now the head of state.
In Parliament, among other things, Prime Minister Liz Truss swore allegiance to Charles III, and a special document was signed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Charles’ coronation will take place at a later date, but he can already begin fulfilling his duties as head of state.
Outside St James’s Palace, thousands of British and foreign tourists gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of the new monarch. At eleven o’clock, cheers rang out and the announcement of the new king was read from a balcony.
“Long live the King,” the crowd responded. Cheers echoed off the walls.
At the meeting I meet Diane Wootton, 65, and her friend Leslie Eastwood, 62. They have traveled from the small town of Dowchester to London to catch a glimpse of the King.
Photo: Mark Earthy
There will be no meeting – Charles will go directly to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
– Of course I wanted to say hello to him. But now I’m going to pay my respects to the Queen instead, says Diane as she holds a bouquet of roses lying at Buckingham Palace.
What would you have said to King Charles?
– Good luck! And listen to those who believe in him, not those who criticize him. “I hope people in this country will give him a chance now,” says Diane Wooten.
In a poll last year, when people were asked which member of the royal family they liked best, the then-crown prince came ninth.
The option of “any of the Queen’s grandchildren” ended before Charles.
– Many remember his tumultuous years with Princess Diana. But it wasn’t all her fault, says Alison Collett, 51, who lives in London and stands alone in the crowd.
In recent days HLarge expressions of grief and sympathy have been expressed by the British, increasing support for the royal family. But earlier polls of Britons have shown that young people have less faith in the royal family than older Britons.
On this day, however, the crowd naturally has warm words about Charles, whom TN meets.
– I hope she’ll be as good as her mother, says 70-year-old Pat Speller, who came here with his whole family from Broadstairs, a small town in southeast England.
Photo: Mark Earthy
Her granddaughter, eight-year-old Sophie, firmly believes her point:
– He’ll be fine!
Ten-year-old older brother Harry readily agrees:
– Yes, long live King Charles!
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