King Charles III was formally proclaimed as monarch on Saturday hours before Buckingham Palace announced Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral will be held Sept. 19.
The accession ceremony at St James’s Palace in London officially marks a new era in British rule following Queen Elizabeth’s death Thursday.
Though Charles automatically became king after his mother’s death, he was officially announced as Britain’s new king Saturday in a ceremony steeped in ancient tradition and political symbolism — and, for the first time, broadcast live.
David White, the Garter King of Arms, made the king’s proclamation official while flanked by trumpeters in gold-trimmed robes before leading cheers — “hip, hip, hooray!” — for the new king.
After the proclamation concluded, Buckingham Palace announced the official date and plan for Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral, which will be preceded by her coffin lying in state for four days for the public to pay respects.
Here’s the latest from Saturday’s royal ceremony, details of the upcoming funeral and key moments from what’s happened following Queen Elizabeth’s death.
Queen Elizabeth’s funeral set for September 19
The state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest reigning monarch will take place Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace Saturday.
For four days before the funeral, the queen will lie in state at Westminster Hall for the public to visit and pay respects. The services will also mark the last seven days of Royal Mourning, which began Friday.
The funeral plan for the late sovereign is a characteristically Windsor blend of ancient tradition and modern practicalities, featuring tolling bells and half-mast flags, with social media accounts gone dark.
Queen Elizabeth’s coffin is currently resting in Balmoral Castle where she died Thursday. On Sunday, her remains will travel to Edinburgh, where it will rest in the throne room, according to Saturday’s statement.
A week before the state funeral services, members of the royal family will gather in Edinburgh for “a Service in St Giles’ Cathedral to receive the Coffin.” It will eventually be flown to Buckingham Palace before lying in state ahead of the funeral.
Prince William mourns the death of his ‘Grannie’ in statement
Two days after Queen Elizabeth II’s death Prince William, now titled Prince of Wales by his father King Charles III, released a touching statement on the grief and gratefulness he’s feeling about the loss of his grandmother.
“I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives,” Prince William wrote.
Prince William finished his statement by thanking his late grandmother for her kindness and with words he said Queen Elizabeth II imparted about grief.
“My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen,” he wrote.
King Charles III formally proclaimed monarch
Scores of senior politicians past and present, including Prime Minister Liz Truss and five of her predecessors, gathered in the ornate state apartments at St. James’s Palace for the meeting of the Accession Council Saturday.
They met without Charles, officially confirming his title, King Charles III. The king joined them to make a personal declaration, vowing to follow his mother’s “inspiring example” as he took on the duties of monarch.
The new king formally approved a series of orders — including one declaring the day of his mother’s funeral a public holiday. The date of the state funeral has not been announced, but it is expected to be around Sept 19.
This is the first time the accession ceremony has been held since 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II took the throne.
Charles was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, and his eldest son Prince William. William is now heir to the throne and known by the title Charles long held, Prince of Wales.
Read: King Charles III’s declaration during his accession ceremony
On Saturday, his majesty made a declaration, addressing the Accession Council while at St James’s Palace. Read it in full 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.”
King Charles expected to receive officials Saturday afternoon
Through the day Saturday, King Charles III is also expected to receive varying officials at Buckingham Palace at separate times including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Prime Minister and Members of the Cabinet, leaders of opposition parties and the Dean of Westminster.
King Charles III pays respects to his ‘darling mama’ in first official address
Friday, King Charles III, on the first full day of his reign following the death of Queen Elizabeth II Thursday, addressed the nation in a nearly 9-minute long pre-recorded message.
The new king paid respects to his mother, his queen — and the era in which she ruled — and commented on how his life will change going forward while promising to serve his people.
The new king expressed “profound sorrow” in the wake of Queen Elizabeth’s death.
“My beloved mother was an inspiration, an example to me and to all my family,” he said. “And we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe to their mother for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.”
He continued, noting her pledge at the age of 21 to devote her life to her people and called it “a profound personal commitment, which defined her whole life.”
“As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself throughout the remaining time God grants me to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation,” he said.
“In a little over a week’s time, we will come together as a nation, as a commonwealth and indeed a global community to lay my beloved mother to rest,” he said. “In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example.”
King Charles then gave thanks for condolences and support and shared one more message, addressing his mother directly.
“To my darling mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late papa, I want simply to say this: Thank you. Thank you, your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
William and Kate assume new titles as Prince and Princess of Wales
During King Charles’ first speech Friday, he commented on how his life would change and how the lives of his family members would also shift — noting his wife’s transition to Queen Consort and Prince William’s assumption of several titles once held by the now-king, including William’s new role as Duke of Cornwall.
As expected, King Charles also dubbed William Prince of Wales, another title he inherits from his father.
With that, the former Kate Middleton became the Princess of Wales, the first to hold that title since the death of William’s mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. In fact, she is one of only three princesses to be known as Princess of Wales since 1901.
“Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru (Prince of Wales in Welsh), the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty,” the king said in the pre-recorded speech. “With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where vital help can be given.”
Joe Biden says he plans to attend the queen’s funeral
President Joe Biden said Friday he will attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
“I don’t know what the details are yet, but I’ll be going,” Biden told reporters traveling with him in Ohio.
In a statement issued shortly after her death, Biden and first lady Jill Biden praised the queen for leading with “grace, an unwavering commitment to duty and the incomparable power of her example.”
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch,” the Bidens said. “She defined an era.”
Biden has known the queen for three decades and has met her three times, most recently in June 2021.
The date and details of the queen’s funeral have not been set but will be released “in due course,” according to Buckingham Palace. While the official date hasn’t been set, it is expected to take place within the next 10 days at Westminster Abbey in central London. The queen will then be laid to rest in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle alongside her mother, father and husband Prince Philip.
Royal residences close, ‘The Crown’ suspends filming
Throughout the period of mourning and until after the queen’s funeral, royal residences, including The Queen’s Gallery, the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and the queen’s private estates, will be closed, the palace announced Friday.
Other planned events and happenings are also being postponed or cancelled in respect to the queen. London Fashion Week, which is scheduled to run from Sept. 16 to Sept. 20, will likely be impacted. Burberry already canceled its show planned for Sept. 17, the company confirmed.
Filming of “The Crown” was suspended Friday and will be suspended on the day of the queen’s funeral, Netflix said in a statement. The series, which dramatizes Queen Elizabeth’s long reign, is in the middle of production for Season 5, in which actress Imelda Staunton takes on the role. Olivia Colman and Claire Foy played a younger queen in earlier seasons.
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