King Charles III has officially been proclaimed as reigning monarch of the United Kingdom.
The Accession Council made the official proclamation of the sovereign at 10 a.m. local time Saturday, during a two-part, 40-minute ceremony the State Apartments of St. James's Palace in London. The proceedings were televised for the first time ever, allowing millions of viewers to tune in across the country.
The first portion of the rite took place without King Charles. As the Privy Council sat—comprised of former Prime Ministers, senior Cabinet ministers, judges and leaders of the Church of England—the clerk to the council read the proclamation, "The crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George."
"We... do now hereby with one voice and consent of tongue and heart publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory become our only lawful and rightful liege lord, Charles III," the clerk continued, ending with, "God Save the King."
Queen Camilla and Prince William—in his first official role as Prince of Wales—then stepped forward to sign the Accession Proclamation, followed by current Prime Minister Liz Truss and other dignitaries including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
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The proceedings then moved into the throne room, where King Charles joined the Privy Council, signed an oath, and made his Declaration. Following his first speech to the nation as sovereign yesterday, the monarch honored his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, describing her reign as "unequaled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion."
"Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life. I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty which have now passed to me," he said.
He continued, "In this purpose, I know that I shall be upheld by the affection and loyalty of the peoples whose Sovereign I have been called upon to be, and that in the discharge of these duties I will be guided by the counsel of their elected parliaments. In all this, I am profoundly encouraged by the constant support of my beloved wife."
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The ceremony was followed by the Public Proclamation of the new sovereign, read publicly at St. James's Palace and at various locations through the capitals of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
At 11 a.m. local time, Garter King of Arms David Vines White read the same proclamation as read in the Ascension Council to a crowd gathered in Marlborough Road outside the palace, followed by a performance of the British national anthem.
Read and watch Charles' full speech below:
My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen.
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.
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.
In this purpose, I know that I shall be upheld by the affection and loyalty of the peoples whose Sovereign I have been called upon to be, and that in the discharge of these duties I will be guided by the counsel of their elected parliaments. In all this, I am profoundly encouraged by the constant support of my beloved wife.
I take this opportunity to confirm my willingness and intention to continue the tradition of surrendering the hereditary revenues, including the Crown Estate, to My Government for the benefit of all, in return for the Sovereign Grant, which supports My official duties as Head of State and Head of Nation.
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.
Quinci LeGardye is an LA-based freelance writer who covers culture, politics, and mental health through a Black feminist lens. When she isn’t writing or checking Twitter, she’s probably watching the latest K-drama or giving a concert performance in her car.
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