The first day as sovereign of Charles III made the headlines of the British media on Saturday, which devoted their first pages to his vibrant tribute to his “beloved mother”. In her first televised address on Friday, Charles praised Elizabeth II’s “unwavering devotion” to her country during her reign which lasted more than 70 years.
“A warm understanding of what his people yearned to hear”
This speech is hailed by the media, which particularly highlights the moment when Charles, holding back his tears, said goodbye to his mother, who died Thursday at the age of 96 in his Scottish residence of Balmoral. The words “To my dear mum, thank you” make the front page of the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Sun and the Daily Star.
The Daily Express highlights this quote that Charles borrowed from Shakespeare: “Let flights of angels sing to you until your rest”. A photo of the pensive, collected new monarch on his arrival at Buckingham Palace on Friday afternoon is on the front page of the Guardian, the Times, the Independent. “God Save the King” headlines the Times.
The diaries focus on Charles’ commitment to serve his country with “loyalty, respect and love”. In its editorial, the Telegraph, a conservative daily, urges the British to “treasure” the upcoming ritual demonstrations.
“When King Charles III addressed the nation last night, it was with a warm understanding of what his people yearned to hear: fierce love and acute pain for Queen Elizabeth II, a deep understanding of the ‘tremendous responsibility now upon him, an expression of the firm faith which will guide him, and a solemn devotion to the duty incumbent on him,’ reads the editorial.
“The country is as unshakable as Elizabeth II”
“The coming weeks are also a glorious reminder that the country she (Elizabeth II, editor’s note) ruled is as steadfast as she is.” It is “the vital expression of a constitution which is not written in a dusty sacred text, but which lives, breathes and is shaped every day by those who inhabit its great functions: the palace, the Parliament, the people “, adds the editorial.
For the tabloid The Sun, the speech eased some fears that Charles would not be able to fill the void left by the death of Elizabeth II. “Charles, with his moving maiden speech, has given us every confidence that he will fulfill this role with wisdom, skill and compassion,” reads his editorial. “We sometimes feared that he was a militant king, a risk for the future of our monarchy. But not anymore”, adds the text.