After 70 years in the wings... the moment Charles became the King
BY IAN GALLAGHER AND SARAH OLIVER
KING Charles III praised his mother Queen Elizabeth’s ‘unequalled reign’ after he was proclaimed king at a ceremony in London’s St James’s palace.
Charles was proclaimed the new sovereign at an Accession Council attended by his wife Camilla, the new Queen Consort, and his son William, six former prime ministers, judges and senior government ministers – all bunched shoulder to shoulder, a thick huddle of black in the red-carpeted Throne Room.
After taking the oath, King Charles later addressed the room and the British nation, emphasising his mother’s legacy and his commitment to continue it.
He began by discharging the ‘sorrowful duty’ of announcing the death of his ‘beloved mother’, and told the council: ‘I know how deeply you, the entire nation – and I think I may say the whole world – sympathise with me in the irreparable loss we have all suffered.
‘It is the greatest consolation to me to know of the sympathy expressed by so many to my sister and brothers and that such overwhelming affection and support should be extended to our whole family in our loss.
‘My mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service,’ he said. ‘My mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, dedication and devotion. I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me.’
The ceremony took place in two parts, the first of which included a meeting of the King’s Privy Council, a group of advisers to the monarch who have typically reached high levels of public office. The six prime ministers – Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major – stood at the front behind a low rope barrier and chatted.
The meeting also included a litany of official proclamations for King Charles III to sign, including one that makes the day of the Queen’s funeral on Monday, September 19, a public holiday. Heralds on horse
back rode from the palace and began passing the proclamation across the country, but the news was first read out at the Royal Exchange in London at noon. Historically, this relay of royal announcements that fanned out across Britain was the fastest way to spread word of a new sovereign.
If Charles wanted to know how his people felt about him, he only had to look or listen to understand the good will, the gratitude and, yes, the love they were sending him.
They had gathered in their thousands along Pall Mall, in St James’s Park, and Buckingham Palace from breakfast time, crushing behind barriers, patiently waiting.
It was 10.10am when that procession of the people who run the country was superseded by the people who are the country. Perhaps 400 of
the waiting thousands were allowed in to watch. The barriers were opened and they set off at a brisk walk, heading for Friary Court.
Upon reaching it, they congratulated each other on their good fortune and then fell silent. At 11am, in a voice which carried well beyond the palace precincts, Mr
White spoke the words of the Principal Proclamation.
‘Whereas it has pleased almighty God to call to his mercy our late sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth II of blessed and glorious memory… We… do now hereby, with one voice and consent of tongue and heart,
publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, is now, by the death of our late sovereign… become our only lawful and rightful liege lord, Charles III… to whom we do acknowledge all faith and obedience with humble affection, beseeching God, by whom kings and queens do reign, to bless his majesty with long and happy years to reign over us.’
At 11.02am, he called ‘God save the King’ and then the band of the Coldstream Guards, along with eight state trumpeters of the household cavalry, sounded the British national anthem.
Yesterday afternoon, three of the Queen’s children and their families viewed flowers outside Balmoral.
On their return to Balmoral they stopped by the gates and thanked well wishers for coming to read the messages left for the Queen.
‘The irreparable loss we have all suffered’