In order to make the proclamation audible and visible to the people, the new British monarch was also proclaimed king on the balcony of St. James’s Palace – with fanfare blasts and in the presence of numerous soldiers wearing bearskin hats. This had previously happened inside the building in central London, not far from Buckingham Palace.
The proclamation was a formal act – the 73-year-old Charles had automatically become British king with the death of his mother. A special Accession Council was convened, made up of members of the Privy Council – active and former government officials, church officials, judges, members of the royal family and other personalities.
The first to sign the proclamation was the king’s eldest son and new heir to the throne, Prince William (40), dressed in an elegant frock coat with a black tie. He was seen in public for the first time since the death of his grandmother, Elizabeth II.
After that, Charles’ wife, Queen Camilla (75), traded. Charles later said at the ceremony, “I am deeply encouraged in all of this by the continued support of my beloved wife.” Camilla became Queen Consort upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The title was last given to the mother of the deceased monarch, Queen Mum.
William, previously officially the Duke of Cambridge, now holds the title Prince of Wales, which is customary for the heir to the throne. Charles had already confirmed this in his speech to the British nation on Friday. William’s wife Kate (40) becomes Princess of Wales. William’s mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car accident in 1997, had last actively borne this title.
After the proclamation there will be a coronation – the date for this is still open. Elizabeth II’s coronation took place in 1953 – 16 months following she became queen following the death of her father.
The Queen died Thursday at her country home, Balmoral Castle, in Scotland. The body is to be transferred from there this Sunday to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, the Queen’s residence in Scotland. The body will then be laid out in a cathedral in the Scottish capital before being taken to London.
Charles authorized an additional public holiday for the people of Britain at his proclamation. This might indicate that the Queen’s state funeral is due to take place on Monday 19 September. So far, September 18 has also been a possible date, but that’s a Sunday. An official confirmation of the date is still pending.
For Saturday Charles III. already have a busy schedule. According to Buckingham Palace, a total of four audiences were planned for the followingnoon. First the King was to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury, then Prime Minister Liz Truss and ministers from her government, then representatives of the opposition and finally the Dean of Westminster.
The clergyman, David Michael Hoyle, has a special position as head of Westminster Abbey: the abbey has the status of “royal abbey”. The dean is not subordinate to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual head of the Church of England, but directly to the monarch.
At Buckingham Palace, the flow of mourners continued on Saturday. Thousands of people gathered early in the morning to lay flowers or cards, light candles or pause. Despite the crowds, the atmosphere was calm and respectful, British news agency PA reported. A number of mourners also traveled from further away.
To ensure that the property in London’s government district of Westminster does not sink under the sea of flowers, all the bouquets are allowed to lie in front of them for twelve hours before they are taken to the adjacent Green Park. This is also indicated by a sign on the fence of the palace.
According to media reports, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Emperor Naruhito want to travel to the UK for the Queen’s state funeral. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel have also confirmed their attendance.
On the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, people in Great Britain should be free. Charles III approved an additional holiday. Late Saturday followingnoon, Monday, September 19 was officially announced for the state funeral.
Also on Saturday followingnoon, Prime Minister Truss and several other Members of Parliament swore an oath to the new King Charles III. away. In a special session of the House of Commons, the politicians swore allegiance to the monarch and his heirs and asked for God’s help. Other MEPs should have the opportunity to make this promise at a later date. After their election, the MPs had assured their allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II, who was still alive and in office at the time. During the period of national mourning leading up to the Queen’s funeral, regular operations of Parliament are suspended.
