The new King Charles III said this Friday (9) that upon taking the throne, he renews the commitment of his mother, Elizabeth II, to dedicate her life to the United Kingdom. In her first televised speech after her mother’s death, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles, 73, declared that she was a huge inspiration.
The speech was recorded at Buckingham Palace in the afternoon and televised at 6pm (2pm GMT) on the BBC, state-run radio and television network.
“Throughout her life, the Queen, my beloved mother, has been an inspiration and an example to me and my entire family, and we owe her the most sincere debt any family can owe their mother,” said the King, whose speech it was centered on continuity rather than change.
“Over the past 70 years, we’ve seen our society transform into one of many cultures and beliefs. Institutions have changed in response. But through all these changes and challenges, our nation has thrived and flourished. Our values ​​have held, and must hold, the same.”
Charles cited his sons when recalling that, after so many as Prince of Wales, he now passes that title on to William. “With Catherine at her side, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will continue to lead and inspire our national discussions, helping to bring the margins to the center where vital help can be provided.” Less solemnly, he also expressed his “love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives” across the Atlantic.
The king said to “count on the loving help of his dear wife”, Camilla Parker Bowles, who now becomes his queen consort. Finally, he recalled that he must move away from some of the activities that have taken up more of his time in recent years, especially charity, to dedicate himself to state affairs.
Elizabeth’s eldest son, who polls say is less popular than his mother, will be proclaimed king on Saturday at an Ascension Council meeting held at St James’s Palace, followed by proclamations across the country. His coronation, however, still has no date set — and it could be more than a year from now.
Crown prince for more than 70 years, Charles arrived in London around 2 pm (8 pm GMT) this Friday, after having rushed to Scotland to visit his mother at Balmoral Castle, where she died. He and his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, now Queen Consort, were dressed in black and were greeted by a crowd in front of Buckingham Palace.
Before heading to the palace, where the new sovereign’s flag was flying, Charles exchanged words and shook hands with several subjects, as well as stopping to see the flowers deposited by Britons and tourists at the gate.
He met with Prime Minister Liz Truss, appointed by the queen on Tuesday, in the former sovereign’s last public duty.
The oldest British monarch in history and the longest-serving crown prince, Charles is expected to make his reign a transitional period between that of his mother, revered for her dedication to public service, and that of her son William, 40, seen as the modernization of royalty.
While Elizabeth took the throne when the United Kingdom was still a power, Charles inherits a country that is experiencing an identity crisis and has become a secondary actor in global geopolitics. In addition to having opted for an isolationist turn with Brexit, the divorce with the European Union has its very existence at risk.
A new referendum on Scottish independence, mounting pressures for Northern Ireland’s integration into the Irish Republic, and even a resurgent nationalism in Wales are on the horizon — particularly painful for a man who has become so associated with the region.
I fight until the funeral
The government declared national mourning until the funeral, whose date has not yet been confirmed but is expected to take place in about ten days, and warned of possible delays in some public transport due to the crowds that gather in front of the royal residences.
Buckingham Palace also announced a period of mourning to be observed by members of the family and the royal household until a week after the burial.
The Bank of England said it would delay its monthly meeting to set interest rates by a week due to Elizabeth’s death.
Regular sessions in parliament were replaced by a special session for lawmakers to pay tribute to the Queen. Parliamentarians will also meet on Saturday, something they rarely do, to approve a message of condolences to the king.
“Since last night’s shocking news, we have witnessed the most sincere outpouring of grief at the loss of her late Majesty the Queen,” Truss told lawmakers, who held a minute’s silence at the start of the ceremony.
“His Majesty King Charles III has an incredible responsibility that he now bears for all of us,” continued the prime minister. “He has already made a profound contribution through his work in conservation, education and his tireless diplomacy. We owe him our loyalty and devotion.”
Elizabeth was head of state for the United Kingdom and 14 other kingdoms, including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Charles, who automatically succeeded her as king, said the death was a time of great sadness for him and his family.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
