Britain’s newly-appointed King Charles III addressed the mourning nation on Friday following the demise of his mother Queen Elizabeth II after prolonged health issues. While delivering his first national address as new monarch of the United Kingdom, King Charles started his speech by paying tribute to her mother and said that it was a profound personal commitment that defined her whole life.
“In 1947 on her 21st birthday, she(Queen Elizabeth II)pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to Commonwealth to devote her life to service of her people. it was more than a promise,it was a profound personal commitment that defined her whole life,” the King said.
He also vowed a ‘lifelong service’ in first public address since ascending to the throne.
King Charles III also said that he will give his son and heir William the title of ‘Prince of Wales,’ and expressed his ‘love for Harry and Meghan’ in first address.
Further in his speech, King Charles also said that he won’t have much time and energy to serve charity, given the demand of his new role. He stated that his family was undergoing changes.
“And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years,” the King concluded his speech.
#WATCH | King Charles III says, “…To my darling mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late papa, I want simply to say this- Thank you for your love & devotion to our family & to family of nations you served so diligently all these yrs…”#QueenElizabethII pic.twitter.com/LDhV0Zchmj
— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2022
King Charles III will officially suceed as the new monarch on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, King Charles, along with his wife Camilla, now the Queen Consort, arrived in London and met Prime Minister Liz Truss. Truss, in only her fourth day as prime minister, was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the new monarch, The Guardian reported.
Britain is observing 10-day state mourning for its longest serving monarch and her towering presence on the world stage for 7 decades. Britain’s royal family will observe a period of mourning that will end on the seventh day after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II passed away ‘peacefully’ at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday at the age of 96.
Even the Government of India has decalred one-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Queen. The national flag will be flown at half-mast on Sunday throughout the country and there will be no official entertainment programme on that day, a statement issued by the government said.
Soon after the Queen’s demise, several political leaders of India took to Twitter and extended their condolences. President Drupadi MurmuPrime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar among others noted that she was a stalwart of our times. They also said that Queen Elizabeth was a compassionate personality and provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people.
“The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of great sadness for me and all members of my family,” the new king shared in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held,” Charles wrote.
Elizabeth was also Queen of Canada, Australia and New Zealand, among other territories.