London (Union)
In his first public appearance since becoming king, Charles III got out of his car outside Buckingham Palace and shook hands with dozens of people in salute to the crowds gathered following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
This station was not included in the decreed protocol, while the crowds expressed their joy at the new king following wept for the departure of Elizabeth II, who died yesterday. Charles heard phrases such as: “God save the King” and “We love you, King Charles”, while cries of support and applause erupted.
The crowd singled out the new king with a warm welcome.
Charles III, who wore a black suit, shook hands with dozens of people who had smiles on their faces. And a woman imprinted a kiss on his cheek. Some of them sang the national anthem. The king responded in particular with the word “Thank you.” He waved his hand to the people who were standing farther away. He walked alongside the crowds gathered behind iron barriers, dozens of meters. Scenes filmed from a helicopter show thousands of people gathered in front of Buckingham Palace to witness this historic event.
With his wife Camilla, he saw hundreds of bouquets of flowers that had been laid since Thursday in front of the palace wall. For the first time as a king, he walked through the gates of Buckingham Palace alongside his wife in the courtyard, before entering the imposing building. “I saw the top of his head, and I wasn’t expecting that, so I had just put a bouquet of dice,” university professor Apofia Othioni told Agence France-Presse, smiling. “It was good to see Charles, our next king, and Camilla, too, and it may be a unique opportunity in one’s life,” she added.
Stephen Johnson, a 56-year-old homeless volunteer, said: “I am moved and frightened, and I feel the same way I did when Diana (Charles’s first wife and mother to Princes William and Harry) passed away, and I’m still trying to get an idea of King Charles III.”
“He will probably be crowned at the age of 74, and in ten or twenty years we will witness a new coronation, he is our king now we have to love him,” he added, standing in front of Buckingham Wall with the British flag and a picture of the late queen.
Charles III arrived in London from Balmoral Palace in Scotland, where the Queen died on Thursday followingnoon. After his plane landed in London, he took a car to reach the palace.
