King Charles III has been formally proclaimed monarch at the Accession Council this morning after the tragic death of his mother the Queen. The former Prince of Wales automatically became King after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday afternoon in Balmoral.
But in keeping with tradition, the Accession Council was called as soon as possible to make the formal proclamation of their successor, the Mirror reports. This morning millions of people were able to watch the historic moment live on television for the first time as the medium was in its infancy when the Queen came to power in the 1950s.
His Majesty has also made a personal declaration on the death of his mother saying: “I know how deeply you and the entire nation, and I think I may say the whole world, sympathise with me in this irreparable loss we have all suffered.”
He added: “Her reign was unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life.”
At the start of the meeting of the council the Lord President, announced the death of the Queen and asked the clerk to read aloud the Accession Proclamation in front of attendees including several former Prime Ministers.
In front of attendees including wife Camilla, who is now Queen Consort, and his son and heir Prince William, the King was declared by the Accession council. Today's event is only the first part and will be followed by a second which is held by the monarch and attended by Privy Counsellors only.
Later today the Principal Proclamation will be read from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James's Palace by the Garter King of Arms, accompanied by the Earl Marshal, other Officers of Arms and the Serjeants at Arms.
In his first televised address as King, Charles said on Friday: "As The Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.
"And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.
"In a little over a week's time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example."
Gun salutes rang out from stations including the Tower of London and Hyde Park both home and abroad on Saturday to mark the accession of King Charles III. Sixty-two rounds were fired near Tower Bridge beside the River Thames by the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), and 41 rounds beside Park Lane by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery (RHA).
At the Tower of London, a royal salute comprises the traditional 21 rounds, another 21 rounds signifies the loyalty of the City of London to the Crown, and a final 20 rounds were fired as the tower is a royal palace and fortress.
Shouts of “Long live the King” were heard as spectators lined up across Tower Bridge and along the Causeway inside the tower to watch the display. Salutes were also fired from Cardiff Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Gibraltar, Colchester, York, Larkhill near Stonehenge, naval bases in Devonport and Portsmouth and a number of stations at sea.
At noon today a second Proclamation will be read in the City of London, at the Royal Exchange. Tomorrow, further proclamations will be read in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at 12pm.
