Charles III proclaimed King in historic ceremony

(Update: adds detail throughout)

London, Sep 10 (EFE).- Charles III was proclaimed King of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms in a historic ceremony in St James’s Palace on Saturday.

Although Charles automatically became King after his mother Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, the proclamation ceremony formally confirmed King Charles III as sovereign of the UK.

“I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty which have now passed to me,” the King said in his address at the Accession Council.

“In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these Islands and of the Commonwealth Realms and Territories throughout the world,” the monarch continued.

The 73-year-old King spoke of his mother’s reign “unequaled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion.”

“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 of selfless service,” Charles added.

The new monarch made his address after being officially proclaimed successor to his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who died aged 96, by the Accession Council.

At the end of his speech, Charles III swore an oath to guarantee the protection of the Church of Scotland (as the head of the Anglican Church) and authorized his statement to be read in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and Commonwealth nations.

The King then signed a document certifying that he had taken the oath, in the presence of the Queen Consort, Camilla, and the Prince of Wales, his son William, both members of the Privy Council, a formal body of Royal advisers.

Also in attendance at the historic ceremony were several former UK prime ministers, the Lord Mayor of the City of London and senior members of the clergy.

Following the oath, soldiers from the King’s guard stood to attention and a fanfare played by heralds ushered in the first public reading of the King’s proclamation in Friary Court outside St James’s Palace.

The address was then read by garter king of arms, David White, who proclaimed: “God save the King” as a fanfare ensued and gun salutes were fired across the country.

Charles III is expected to hold audiences with several religious and political leaders following the proclamation ceremony.

According to a palace statement, the monarch will first meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at Buckingham Palace.

Half an hour later prime minister Liz Truss and the members of her conservative cabinet are due to meet with the King at the palace.

At 2:00 p.m (GMT) the opposition, led by Labor’s Keir Starmer, will meet with the monarch.

The new sovereign will conclude his meetings announced so far at 3:00 p.m. (GMT) with a private reception with the Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle.

Charles’s proclamation was his first official ceremony as head of state and is different from the coronation, which is expected to take place in the coming months.EFE

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