UK: Two days after the country's longest-reigning Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96, King Charles was formally proclaimed Britain's monarch on Saturday.
The Privy Council, the monarch's advisory body, gathered at St James's Palace in London during the monarch's early years to declare Charles King, even though he had already inherited the throne after his mother passed away. This was the beginning of the Accession Council meeting.
The holy ceremony, which marks their first official engagement as king or queen, was televised for the first time on Saturday. This has usually happened behind closed doors.
According to King Charles, "My mother's reign was uneven in dedication and devotion." "Even as we grieve, we are grateful for this still life.
I am well aware of this great legacy as well as the obligations of sovereignty and the heavy burdens that now fall upon me.
He said that I will work hard to uphold constitutional government as I assume these duties and promote peace, harmony and prosperity for the people of these islands, Commonwealth territories and territories, as well as the rest of the world.
King Charles, who is 73 years old, is the oldest monarch ever.
Following the ceremony, the Garter King of Arms made the proclamation from the balcony of St James's Palace and then an hour later at the Royal Exchange in the City of London, right next to the Bank of England. It will also be read elsewhere, along with Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh.
The Council of Accession had two sessions: one without a king and one in the throne room of the palace, where King Charles took an oath to protect the Church of Scotland, a convention for the British practice of keeping church and state separate.
It hasn't always been the same day for the two parts.
The first session of the Accession Council was held in 1952 on the day of the death of his father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth was away when her father passed away, so the second part happened when she returned from Kenya two days later.
A full Privy Council continued to exist, but during Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign, the number of advisors to the monarch more than doubled to over 700.
On Saturday, nearly 200 people attended the ceremony standing full time in black mourning attire, with current cabinet members and former prime ministers taking precedence. There were six surviving former prime ministers and the current prime minister, Liz Truss.
The Queen's consort, King Charles' wife Camilla, who is a member of the council, as well as Prince William, who had recently been named Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, were in attendance.
Following the ceremony, all flags will be flown at half-mast in the UK until 1 pm on Sunday in honor of the new king. They will then be bowed at half-mast in honor of Queen Elizabeth.
According to Buckingham Palace, the official period of mourning, which began on Friday, will last 17 days and end a week after the Queen's funeral. It is anticipated that the funeral date will be confirmed in a "reasonable time".
On Friday, US President Joe Biden told reporters that he would attend the funeral.
Later on Saturday, a group of MPs will take the oath, and the House of Commons and the House of Lords will continue to pay tribute to the Queen.
King Charles will begin a three-day mourning tour of Britain on Sunday, stopping in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The Queen will rest at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh before her coffin is brought to London on Sunday or Monday. She will then lie in state for several days at the Palace of Westminster, which houses the British Parliament.
Thousands visited Buckingham Palace on Saturday to honor the Queen, as has been done every day since her death. Visitors are being asked to leave their tributes at the nearby Green Park after leaving bouquets of flowers and handwritten notes.
On Friday evening, King Charles praised his mother's "profound, personal commitment" to the service in a televised speech.
In his first televised speech as King on Friday, King Charles said, "To my dear Mama as you begin your final, great journey to join my dear Late Papa, I want to say this: Thank you.
“We appreciate everything you have done over the years to show love and devotion to our family and family of nations. Let the angels fly in the sky.
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