“God Save the King”: King Charles III officially proclaimed as UK Monarch

“God Save the King” were the words reaffirmed by the masses that gathered in London today evening as King Charles III, the former longest-serving Prince of Wales was proclaimed the new British Monarch.

While he succeeded the throne the moment his mother – Queen Elizabeth II died at 96 on 8th September, King Charles III was officially proclaimed in two ceremonies in London, at Accession Council and at the Royal Exchange, which was televised for the first time in history.

In his declaration to the Accession Council, King Charles III 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”, he added.

King Charles was joined by his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, and his son and heir Prince William, the new Prince of Wales, who added their signatures to the formal proclamation documents. Charles also confirmed the tradition of surrendering all revenues and the Crown Estate to the country in return for the Sovereign Grant that covers royal costs in the UK.

The Principal Proclamation was marked by a 41-gun salute fired by The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery at Hyde Park in London.

Following the proclamation, King Charles III held his first Privy Council meeting and made his personal declaration to “assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty” and follow in the footsteps of his late mother.

Flags lowered in mourning for the late Queen were restored to full mast after the Accession Council. A wave of further proclamations will take place across the UK until Sunday when flags will return to half-mast.

In his first address to Britain as monarch, King Charles III expressed “profound sorrow” at the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II vowed to carry on the queen’s “lifelong service” to the nation.

He also made a heartfelt tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, saying, “…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 and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years..”

Mourners at the service included Prime Minister Liz Truss and members of her government. “It was so touching to see so many people. It’s a moment I’d been dreading, but one must try and keep going,” Charles was heard saying to Truss.

Earlier in the day, King Charles had also bestowed the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales on his eldest son William and his daughter-in-law Kate, who are next in line for the royal throne.

Charles was born in Buckingham Palace, the first child of his mother and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh; he was the first grandchild of King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth. At 73 years of age, Charles is the oldest person ever to assume the British throne, a record previously held since 1830 by William IV at age 64.

Meanwhile, India has declared a one-day state mourning tomorrow as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth’s demise.