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In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these Islands. New monarch is formally signed in
KING Charles III vowed yesterday to “seek the peace, harmony and prosperity” of all his subjects as his rule was officially declared.
At a historic and sombre meeting of the Accession Council at St James’ Palace in London, Charles also paid an emotional tribute to his late mother’s lifelong love and selfless service.
Our new monarch pledged the rest of his own life to service before signing a declaration with his new signature, “Charles R” – the R standing for the Latin word Rex, meaning king.
And at The Oval in south London, the crowd sang God Save the King in his honour ahead of England’s third Test with South Africa, the words ringing out for the first time at a sporting event.
The monarch was watched by wife Camilla, who is now Queen Consort, his son William, the new Prince of Wales, and more than 200 privy counsellors – including six former Prime Ministers and the new Tory leader and premier, Liz Truss – as he pledged himself to the task now before him and the “heavy responsibilities of sovereignty”.
TV cameras were giving the world a first glimpse of a ceremony dating back centuries. The filming was one of the first changes to convention to be instigated by the new King.
Charles told the council: “I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me.
“In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these Islands and of the Commonwealth Realms and Territories throughout the world.” There was utter silence as the words echoed around the grand room, with its deep scarlet flocked walls and imposing oversized portraits of monarchs including King William III.
Yet the grandeur and importance of the first part of the Accession Council was in stark contrast to the scene moments before, when the room buzzed with loud chatter.
Before the arrival of the royals there was nervous excitement among dignitaries including ex-pms Gordon Brown, Boris Johnson, David Cameron, Theresa May, Sir John Major and Tony Blair, who were standing shoulder to shoulder. Silence fell as the sovereign entered the room before taking his place beside Camilla and his heir, William.
Devotion
Composing himself for a moment, the King spoke movingly about his mother and the grief his family is experiencing. He said: “It is my most sorrowful duty to announce to you the death of my beloved mother, the Queen.
“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. To all of us as a family, as to this kingdom and the wider family of nations of which it is a part, my mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service.
“My mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life.”
Camilla, in black and wearing a three-strand pearl necklace, stared straight ahead with intense concentration as history unfolded before her.
Making special mention of Camilla, Charles said he would faithfully take on the duties of the sovereign of the UK and 14 British realms where he is head of state. He added: “In all this, I am profoundly encouraged by the constant support of my beloved wife. And in carrying out the heavy task that has been laid upon me, and to which I now dedicate what remains to me of my life, I pray for the guidance and help of Almighty God.”
The King also took an oath to preserve the Church of Scotland, as north of the border there is a division of powers between the church and state.
Charles inked the declaration scroll with his new signature and was proclaimed King by Garter
King of Arms David Vines White outside St James’s Palace at around 11am. He declared:
“Three cheers for His Majesty the
King”, with the King’s Guard responding “Hooray” after each “Hip-hip”, while raising their bearskin caps. Gun salutes then rang out from stations including the Tower of London and Hyde Park.
Sixty-two rounds were fired beside the Thames near Tower Bridge by the Honourable Artillery Company and 41 rounds at Park Lane by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
A second proclamation was read out at noon at the City of London’s Royal Exchange by Timothy Duke, the Clarenceux King of Arms. Onlookers cheered and sang God Save the King. Chrissie Ellis, 61, from north London, said: “I feel privileged to have seen it.” Thousands had flocked to Buckingham Palace hoping to catch a glimpse of the King. Many were wearing black and holding flowers they had brought to pay tribute to the Queen.
Just before 1pm, Charles was cheered and applauded as he was driven through the gates. The King could be seen through the window of his state Rolls Royce, smiling and waving back.
Retired teacher Helen Horne, 51, who had travelled from Stockport, said: “We’re very, very sad but we wanted to come here to support the next chapter. I hope that everyone gets behind our new King and supports him.”
Daughter Lydia added: “We wanted to be here for history in the making. God save the King.”
Construction firm manager Robert Spencer, 53, from Kent said: “Hearing his name being proclaimed as the new King made me feel a real tingle. He’s going to be great for us.”
And at The Oval, the momentous occasion spurred England on to hammer South Africa – getting them all out for just 118 runs.
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