King Charles has been formally proclaimed the new sovereign during an Accession Council ceremony.
Charles automatically became King when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on Thursday 8 September, but his role has now been officially confirmed by the Accession Council – which consists of senior government figures, the Lord Mayor of London and High Sheriffs of the City of London, Realm High Commissioners, Privy Counsellors, Great Officers of State and a number of high-ranking civil servants.
The meeting began with the Council formally declaring that the Queen had died, before it was proclaimed that Charles was now King, with those present saying together: "God save the King."
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The ceremony had to be held a day later than normal practice dictates, as the announcement of the Queen’s death did not come until early evening on Thursday, meaning there would not have been enough time to plan the procedure for Friday morning.
Clarence House also announced that it would mark the first time ever that the Accession Council would be broadcast on television.
The Palace said in a statement that His Majesty the King would be ‘proclaimed at the Accession Council at 10.00hrs (on Saturday) in the State Apartments of St James’s Palace, London’, explaining: “The Accession Council, attended by Privy Councillors, is divided into two parts.
“In Part I, the Privy Council, without The King present, will proclaim the Sovereign, and formally approve various consequential Orders, including the arrangements for the Proclamation.
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“Part II, is the holding by The King of His Majesty’s first Privy Council.
“The King will make his Declaration and read and sign an oath to uphold the security of the Church in Scotland and approve Orders in Council which facilitate continuity of government.”
Charles was not required to attend the ceremony itself, only joining after he had officially been proclaimed monarch to hold his first Privy Council meeting.
At 11am, a Principal Proclamation will be read in public for the first time by the Garter King of Arms in the open air, from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’.
The historic event follows Charles’ landmark address to the nation yesterday, in which he paid tribute to his late mother while also pledging to serve his people with ‘loyalty, respect and love’.
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"I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow," King Charles III began.
"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.”
Later in the speech, the King spoke directly to her late Majesty, adding: "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.
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"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
Jess Hardiman