“I speak to you with a feeling of deep sadness. » King Charles III addressed the British nation and Commonwealth for the first time as a sovereign this Friday from the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in London.
Moved, the new monarch began by paying tribute to his “adored mother”, Queen Elizabeth, died Thursday at the age of 96. “She was an inspiration, an example for me and all my family”, delivered the sovereign, recalling his “sacrifices”. “It was a life of service, we saw that she loved traditions,” he added.
In a brief but emotional speech, Charles III, who will be officially proclaimed king on Saturday, also promised to “serve the British all his life”. “As the Queen had done with unwavering devotion, I too solemnly pledge myself now, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles which are at the heart of our nation,” a- he assured. And the king added: “I will try to serve you with loyalty, respect and love”, repeating the commitment that had been made his late mother Elizabeth II on his 21st birthday.
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A portrait of his mother laid prominently next to him, Charles III, officially announced that his eldest son, William, became Prince of Wales. He also had a little word for his youngest son, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, despite their very degraded relationship, according to the British press. “I also want to express my love to Harry and Meghan who continue to build their lives abroad,” said the 73-year-old sovereign soberly.
Harry came alone Thursday, on a scheduled flight, to Balmoral where he arrived well after the announcement of the death of the sovereign, while the working members of the royal family, including his brother William, were transported by the Royal Air Force .
Camilla “will be able to meet the requirements”
The new king underlined “the loyal public service” of his wife Camilla, now queen consort, but who suffered for a long time from her reputation as a couple breaker when Charles was married to Diana. “I know that she will be able to meet the demands of her new role with the unwavering dedication on which I count so much,” he assured.
“And to my darling mum, as you embark on your last great journey to join my dear late dad, I simply want to say this: thank you,” concluded Charles III.
The new sovereign will be officially proclaimed king at the accession council to be held at 10 a.m. local time on Saturday at the State Apartments in St James’s Palace. It will be read at 11 a.m. (noon in metropolitan France) from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’s Palace. A second proclamation will be read in the City of London, at the Royal Exchange, at noon (1 p.m. in France).