Charles III was officially proclaimed king on Saturday at a meeting of the Accession Council in London, saying he was “deeply aware” of the “duties and heavy responsibilities” of the functions he inherited after the death of his mother Elizabeth II.
The ceremony, broadcast for the first time on television, took place at St. James’s Palace in the presence of new Queen Consort Camilla, new heir to the throne William, Prime Minister Liz Truss and several of her predecessors.
Charles, 73, had automatically become king when his mother died on Thursday afternoon at his Scottish residence in Balmoral, aged 96 and after 70 years of reign. He will not be crowned until a later date, probably several months from now.
After the declaration proclaiming him was read, the Council said in chorus “God Save the King”, then moved to the throne room of the palace for the king to take the oath.
“My mother’s reign was unequaled in its duration, her devotion and her devotion”, declared the king in his speech preceding this solemn oath, referring to an “irreparable loss”.
“I am deeply aware of this great heritage, of the duties and the heavy responsibilities of sovereignty, which are now passed on to me,” he added.
He praised “the constant support” of his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, and confirmed that he wanted to continue the tradition of returning to public finances the income from the Crown’s heritage (land, investments, etc.) in exchange for an allowance. (sovereign grant) fixed at 15% of this income.
This sum represented 86.3 million pounds for 2021-2022, or approximately 130.5 million Canadian dollars.
Outside St. James’s Palace, several hundred people gathered.
“What moves me is their devotion to their country, their loyalty,” observes Nicola Parmar, from the north of England.
“It is the most monumental moment in modern history in which we are privileged to be part of,” Samantha Camear, 35, who lives in Florida and vacations in London, told AFP. She wants to “say goodbye” to the queen and “welcome” the new king.
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