Politics

Australia, New Zealand proclaim King Charles as head of state

Sydney, Australia, Sep 11 (EFE).- King Charles III was officially proclaimed the new monarch of Australia and New Zealand on Sunday after ascending to the throne of the United Kingdom following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Both countries held separate ceremonies in front of their respective parliaments.

The Governor General of Australia, David Hurley, the British monarchy’s representative in the Oceania country, extolled the “blessed and glorious” Queen Elizabeth II and wished the new monarch a “long and happy” reign.

“Her Majesty was the only reigning monarch to ever to visit Australia and it was clear from her first trip that she had a special place in our hearts,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.

The Australia leader also announced that Sep. 22 would be declared be a national holiday of mourning for the Queen.

The ceremony in the Australian capital was attended by government officials as well as representatives of the aboriginal minority who performed chants and the fire ritual in honor of the new monarch.

In Wellington, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was “forever grateful for the close bond” that the late monarch had with New Zealand and acknowledged the “deep care” that King Charles III has shown for the country during his visits.

“And so as one chapter closes, another begins,” Ardern said in a ceremony that took place in English and Maori.

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 after the death of Queen Elizabeth II two days earlier at the age of 96 following a 70-year reign.

King Charles III will also be proclaimed head of state in the Pacific nations of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. EFE

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