In his first address to the nation ahead of his accession ceremony, Britain’s King Charles paid an emotional tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and vowed to serve the nation with “loyalty, respect and love”.
Referring to the death of the 96-year-old oldest monarch of the nation on Thursday at her home in Scotland, Charles said her loss brought great sadness and a “sense of loss, beyond measure”.
Her death, which led to him becoming king and head of state of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms, including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, was “the moment I’ve been dreading”, Charles earlier told Prime Minister Liz Truss.
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“Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing,” Charles said in his address, which he delivered from Buckingham Palace with a photograph of her displayed next to him.
“That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”
In his televised message, the 73-year-old Charles reflected on his mother’s promise she made in 1947, aged 21, to devote her life to the service of her people, a vow he pledged to emulate “throughout the remaining time God grants me”.
“That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment that defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty,” he said.
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“Wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.”
Though Charles is already king according to the terms of the Act of Settlement 1701, he is yet to be proclaimed king officially.
ACCESSION COUNCIL
The purpose of the Accession Council is basically a ceremonial one as it officially announces the name of the new monarch.
Charles III will be proclaimed king at a historic event at St James’s Palace on Saturday morning which will be televised for the first time.
The Accession Council will be attended by all members of the Privy Council, a body of advisors to the sovereign that dates back to the time of the Norman kings. But with the membership standing at 700, mostly politicians, only 200 will be summoned.
SERIES OF EVENTS TODAY
-A formal ceremony to proclaim Charles as king will be held at 10:00 BST
-From 11:00, flags will fly full mast and royal gun salutes will be fired
-Further public proclamations take place from a balcony at St James’s Palace and London
-Senior members of government will swear an oath to King Charles III in the House of Commons
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