‘Unequalled in devotion’ mother as he is proclaimed
KING Charles III paid tribute to his mother’s historic reign, “unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion”, as he was formally declared the nation’s new monarch yesterday.
During a poignant and solemn meeting of the Accession Council, the King spoke movingly about his mother and the grief his family is experiencing, but said the “sympathy expressed by so many to my sister and brothers” had been the “greatest consolation”.
Later in the day, it was confirmed Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state for “four clear days” in Westminster Hall from September 14, with mourners able to pay their respects, before her funeral takes place on September 19 at Westminster Abbey.
Her coffin will today journey to Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, before Princess Anne will accompany it when it is flown to London on Tuesday, due to arrive at Buckingham Palace by 8pm, where King Charles III and Queen Camilla will greet it.
The confirmation of the sombre official events that lie ahead came as the Prince of Wales issued a statement last night paying tribute to his grandmother and pledging his support to his father, before he and his wife, the new Princess of Wales, toured tributes to the Queen at Windsor Castle during the evening, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
William wrote: “On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.
“I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of the Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had 20 years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. She was by my side at my happiest moments and she was by my side during the saddest days of my life.”
He added: “I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real. I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all.
“My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love ... I will honour her memory by supporting my father, the King, in every way I can.”
‘Responsibilities’
WILLIAM’S heartfelt words came hours after he joined the Queen Consort and more than 200 privy counsellors – including six former Prime Ministers – to witness the King pledge himself to the task now before him and the “heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty”. His mother would be his guide for the years ahead as he strived to “follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government”, he added.
The day included a moment of pomp and pageantry with David White, Garter King of Arm, in his colourful regalia and flanked by other Officers of Arms and Sergeants at Arms, reading the proclamation of the new King from a balcony at St James’s Palace.
Charles began his momentous day 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.”
Charles spoke of the late Queen’s “selfless service”, adding: “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.”
‘Inspiring example’
HE said: “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. 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.”
I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real. I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me
The historic event was broadcast for the first time, giving the world a first glimpse of an ancient ceremony dating back centuries and one of the first changes to convention instigated by the new King.
Following convention, Charles did not attend the first part of the ceremony when the clerk of the council Richard Tilbrook read the proclamation to the packed meeting that confirmed the new monarch.
He said: “Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, has now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become our only lawful and rightful liege lord, Charles III.”
The meeting was staged in the state rooms of St James’s Palace, and the clerk declared to the room: “God Save the King,” with the privy counsellors repeating the famous phrase.
The new monarch became King the moment his mother died, but an Accession Council must be convened following the death of a Sovereign – usually within 24 hours.
National figures
THE privy councillors – a group of mostly senior politicians past and present, some members of the monarchy and other national figures – were present to hear the Clerk of the Council read the Accession Proclamation.
Among them were ex-Prime Ministers Sir John Major, Sir Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson along with Cabinet members and former Archbishops of Canterbury and York, with everyone standing – a convention believed to have been established by Queen Victoria to keep such meetings short. The new premier Liz Truss was part of the proceedings and stood at the head of the council with Camilla, William,
Archbishop of York Justin Welby and other figures as the clerk read the proclamation.
Charles’s address was made in the second part of the ceremony – when proceedings moved to the palace’s throne room – and was effectively the King hosting his first Privy Council meeting.
After his personal declaration about the death of his mother, the King took the oath to preserve the Church of Scotland – because in Scotland there is a division of powers between the church and state.
A number of procedural matters were completed including the King approving the day of the Queen’s funeral to be a bank holiday.
At 11am, the crowds stood in a road overlooking the St James’s Palace’s Friary Court saw the spectacle of the Garter King of Arms reading the proclamation from a balcony.
Anthem plays
IN the court below was the palace’s detachment of the King’s Guard made up of Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards. The national anthem was performed by the Band of the Coldstream Guards alongside eight State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry who stood on the balcony.
Meanwhile, the Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, confirmed further details of the funeral.
The Queen’s oak coffin – which was lying in the Ballroom at Balmoral Castle yesterday – will be taken by road to the Palace of Holyroodhouse today, on a slow, six-hour journey by hearse, to allow mourners gathered in the towns and villages to pay their respects. Tomorrow, the coffin will be taken from Holyroodhouse in procession to St Giles’ Cathedral where it will lie at rest until Tuesday.
A spokesman for the King said the monarch’s main focus will be leading the royal family and nation in mourning over the coming days. “While, in the next few days, the King will carry out all the necessary state duties, his main focus will be leading the royal family, the nation, the Realms and the Commonwealth in mourning Her Majesty The Queen.”