The nation is in mourning after Queen Elizabeth II died aged 96.
Buckingham Palace released a statement yesterday afternoon to confirm Her Majesty has passed away. The Queen's eldest son, King Charles, has automatically ascended to the throne after her death.
The Monarch was the rightful heir based on the Succession of the Crown Act 2013. The King will be formally proclaimed monarch at the Accession Council at St James' Palace.
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II dies aged 96
After the proclamation, Charles will read a declaration to take an oath to preserve the Church of Scotland. However, his official coronation ceremony is not likely to take place for some months after the accession as the UK observes a period of mourning and necessary preparations are made.
Charles III became the next in line to throne when he was just three years old. Friends close to the new King have previously spoken about how he is aware of the huge responsibility that comes with the crown.
According to the Mirror, his friend, Nicholas Soames, once said: "Being heir to the throne is not an ambition but a duty and one which will befall him on a sad moment later in his life."
In his biography, Jonathan Dimbleby wrote: "Prince Charles is far more aware of the prospective burdens of kingship than its pleasures."
Analysts Jonathan Sacerdoti has previously told the Mirror about how the King plans to slim down and restructure the monarch. He said: "It’s always been speculated that Charles, when he eventually takes over, will want to slim down the working royals at the heart of the family.
"It will be about commanding respect. I think he is looking forward to being King."
King Charles was 20 years old when he inherited the title of the Prince of Wales. The King earned a degree from the University of Cambridge before he served in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy from 1971 - 1976.
Away from his duties, he married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, and they shared two children - Prince William and Prince Harry. The couple divorced in 1996 before Charles remarried his long-time partner, Camilla Parker Bowles.
King Charles is now aged 73 and he has become the oldest person to ever assume the British throne. His Majesty is renowned for speaking his mind on topics he feels passionate about such as environmental issues and he founded the Youth Charity, The Prince's Trust, in 1976.
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