The BBC has announced it will broadcast a service of remembrance at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday evening. The service of prayer and reflection will be held 24 hours after the news broke of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
It was announced early on Thursday evening (September 8) that the Queen had died peacefully in the afternoon at Balmoral, her Scottish Highlands home. Charles was joined by the monarch’s other children the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex, with the Duke of Cambridge, now heir to the throne, and the Duke of Sussex also travelling there.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," a statement from Buckingham Palace began. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
READ MORE: Death of Queen Elizabeth II - latest updates as period of mourning to begin
Following the Queen's death, Charles, formerly the Prince of Wales, has automatically become King and his wife Camilla is now Queen Consort after being endorsed by her mother-in-law in February during her speech to mark 70 years on the throne.
However, an Accession Council is usually convened at St James’s Palace in London within 24 hours of the death of a sovereign.
King Charles III will give his first speech to the nation today (Friday) following the death of his beloved mother. The Queen's son and successor King Charles III spoke of his grief soon after Buckingham Palace announced her death.
He said: "The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held."
At 6pm the King will make a televised address to the nation, which he is due to pre-record. He will pay tribute to the Queen and pledge his duty to his service as the new sovereign. It is likely to be broadcast across all major networks as the likes of BBC and ITV continue its rolling news coverage.
However, aervice of prayer and reflection on the death of the Queen will be held in St Paul’s Cathedral at 6pm. The Prime Minister and Lord Mayor of London are expected to attend the service which will be broadcast on the BBC.
The audio of the King’s televised address to the nation will be played inside the cathedral if it coincides with the service. The public are also welcome to attend the service with 2,000 available. Seats will be allocated to the public on a first come first served basis.
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