King Charles III emerged as a new sovereign subsequent to the death of Queen Elizabeth II (photos)

Following the demise of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III has been officially declared a new sovereign.

He made a personal proclamation on the demise of his dearest  mother Queen Elizabeth II, during the ceremony at St James’s Palace in London this morning, and pledged to uphold ‘constitutional government and to explore the peace, harmony, and prosperity of the people of these islands, and of the Commonwealth realms and territories in the world.’

After the Accession Council,  an ancient body of advisers that dates back as far as the time of the Norman Conquest, officially announced his role as Head of State today, Charles automatically became Sovereign following the death of his mother who died at Balmoral Castle on Thursday afternoon.

The Principal Proclamation proclaiming the King was then read out at 11 o’clock from the balcony of St. James’s Palace. As the King was formally declared Sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Commander-in-Chief of Britain’s Armed Forces, Head of State of the Commonwealth, and of British colonies around the world, crowds gathered outside the palace.

An official known as the Garter King of Arms read the declaration on a balcony above Friary Court in St James’s, David White. He rounded up by saying:

‘Given at St James’s Palace this 10th day of September in year of our Lord 2022.’  In the moments after, ‘God save the King’ was shouted out.

Meanwhile, the King also approved an order that the day of the Queen’s funeral will be a bank holiday, this comes after a  memorial tribute was paid to the Queen at the throne room of St James’s before the assembled Accession Council shortly after 10.20am.

In his declarative words, Charles III said:

‘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’ve all suffered.

‘It is the greatest consolation to me to know 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.’

Furthering the proclaimation, the King said: ‘

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.’

The declaration was signed at 10am by Prime Minister Liz Truss joined Camilla, Queen Consort, William, Prince of Wales and 250 other dignitaries including the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the Prime Minister, the Lord Privy Seal, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Earl Marshal and the Lord President.

Those present at the body of the Accession Council include, former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major, Labour former Cabinet minister Harriet Harman, the Mother of the House, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the high commissioners of the 14 Commonwealth countries where Charles III is Head of State.

The Lord President – Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt announced the demise of the sovereign and called upon the Clerk of the Council to loudly read the text of the Accession Proclamation before the body signed the document. This also includes Charles’s chosen title as King, already known to be King Charles III.

It is expected by Charles III to enter for the second part of the council at 10.20am, which is only attended by privy counsellors, and makes a personal proclamation about the demise of the Queen. Afterwards, he will take an oath to preserve the Church of Scotland and signs two documents to record it, with his wife Camilla and his son Prince William among those witnessing his signature.

Principal Proclamation will be read in public for the first time at 11am by the Garter King of Arms in the public from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’s.

Before the further Proclamations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at midday on Sunday, there will be a flurry of Proclamations around the country, with the second one at City of London at the Royal Exchange at midday on Saturday.

Opening proceedings at the Accession Council, the Lord President said:

‘My lords, it is my sad duty to inform you that Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, has passed away on Thursday the 8th of September 2022, at Balmoral Castle. I propose that, when certain necessary business has been transacted, a deputation consisting of Her Majesty, His Royal Highness, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of York, the Prime Minister, the clerk of the Council, and myself, shall wait on the King and inform him the Council is assembled.’

While reading the text of the declaration, the clerk of the council said:

‘Whereas it has pleased almighty God to call to his mercy our late Sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth II of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George.

‘We, therefore, the lords spiritual and temporal of this realm, and members of the House of Commons, together with other members of Her late Majesty’s Privy Council, and representatives of the realms and territories, aldermen, and citizens of London and others, do now hereby, with one voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, is now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become our only lawful and rightful liege lord, Charles III, by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, and of his other realms and territories, King, head of the Commonwealth, defender of the faith, to whom we do acknowledge all faith and obedience with humble affection, beseeching God, by whom kings and queens do reign, to bless His Majesty with long and happy years to reign over us.’

He proclaimed to the room ‘God Save the King’ and the packed room repeated the popular phrase.

The notable event follows after Charles gave a memorial address to the nation on Friday and paid a touching and emotional tribute to his ‘darling Mama’ the Queen.

The King devoted his whole life as serving as the new sovereign just as the Queen did, saying:

‘That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today’. 

As a symbol of his bid for reconciliation amid past troubles with the Sussexes, he used the meduim to announce that he had created his son William the Prince of Wales, with Kate the Princess of Wales, and declared his ‘love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas’.

He also paid encomium to his ‘darling wife’ Camilla, calling her ‘my Queen Consort’, saying he can ‘count on her loving help’ and eulogyzing her by saying:

‘I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.’