London: After the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch on Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II, her eldest son, King Charles, was officially proclaimed as Britain’s new monarch on Saturday at a historic ceremony that took place in St James’s Palace, where former prime ministers, bishops, and a host of politicians shouted “God Save The King”.
The death of 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth after 70 years on the throne set in train long-established and highly choreographed plans for days of national mourning and a state funeral that will be held in just over a week.
Operation London Bridge: What happens when The Queen dies?
Charles, 73, succeeded his mother immediately on Thursday, but an Accession Council met on Saturday to proclaim his succession, with his son and heir William, wife Camilla, and Britain’s new prime minister, Liz Truss, among those to sign the proclamation.
Making his personal declaration, Charles said: “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.”
The proclamation was also set to be read publicly in the other capital cities of the United Kingdom – Edinburgh in Scotland, Belfast in Northern Ireland, and Cardiff in Wales – and at other locations, too.
The death of Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, has drawn an outpouring of tributes from at home and around the globe. Landmarks have been used to celebrate her life, with buildings in Europe, America, and Africa lit up in the red, white, and blue of the United Kingdom.
In Britain, people started gathering outside royal palaces in the early hours of Saturday morning, with thousands flocking to Buckingham Palace to pay respects to the queen and Charles – who was proclaimed King at the nearby St James’s Palace.
King Charles is now also the head of state of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms, including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. – Agencies
