The essential :
- Charles III was officially proclaimed king this Saturday morning at the end of an Accession Council, just under 48 hours after the announcement of the death of Elizabeth II. A first step before the coronation, which will take place in several months. For the first time in history, this council was televised.
- After being proclaimed king, Charles III returned to Buckingham Palace, London. He receives, in the afternoon, the Prime Minister, Liz Truss, and several other members of the British government.
- Charles III spoke on Friday in a first televised address to the British people. He paid tribute to his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and spoke of the love and affection he had for his family, including his sons and his wife, Camilla. He also mentioned his son Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle.
- The first steps of the king marked the spirits: barely arrived in front of Buckingham Palace, Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla stopped and went to meet thousands of Britons on Friday. He then took the time to meditate in front of the flowers placed on the gates of the royal palace. An attitude that already marks a difference with his mother, who has never taken such a crowd.
3:56 p.m. – The royal family in front of the flowers placed in front of Balmoral
The relatives of the queen who remained in Balmoral, where her remains are still to be found, come to contemplate the tributes and the bouquets of flowers placed in front of the gates of the castle. Dressed in black, the new king’s sister, Anne, her brothers Andrew and Edward and their children previously attended a church service in a nearby village.
3:30 p.m. – Royal and national mourning… Understand everything
The King has made it known that royal mourning – which involves family, staff and representatives of the Royal Household – will last for up to seven days after the Queen’s funeral. The date, around September 19, has still not been announced, but King Charles has already declared a public holiday to mark the occasion.
National mourning, decreed by the government, must last until the day of the funeral. The Queen will be buried privately in the Chapel at Windsor Castle. His coffin should be transferred before Sunday to Edinburgh, where the public will have a first opportunity to gather.
2:08 p.m. – The British Parliament’s pledge of allegiance to Charles III
English Parliamentarians currently pledge allegiance to the new King Charles III. One by one, each elected official parades to ensure their full and complete support for the new monarch. The latter also offer their condolences after the death of Elizabeth II.
2:01 p.m. – Charles’ return to Buckingham Palace
After the official proclamation, Charles III returned to the official residence of the British monarchy, Buckingham Palace. This afternoon, he must receive Liz Truss, Prime Minister, as well as several other members of the government.
1:25 p.m. – François Hollande salutes “a great friend of France”
Former President François Hollande went to the British Embassy in Paris on Saturday to sign the register of condolences. Leaving, the former French head of state also greeted Charles III, proclaimed king on Saturday, who, he thinks, “will have another way of doing things, but who also has a passion which is that of defense environment, ecology”. It “will be useful in international conferences that we also hear the voice of the royal family, on this occasion”, when the new British Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss has taken office.
“To the great friend of France, who throughout her reign has sought to strengthen the ties between our two countries and who has aroused respect and admiration among French men and women of all generations and of all sensibilities, we express our immense gratitude and let us share the sorrow of the royal family and the British people”, he wrote, according to the text consulted by journalists from Agence France-Presse.
1:13 p.m. – Charles proclaimed king in the City
Moments after being proclaimed king at St. James’s Palace, Charles was proclaimed king at the London Stock Exchange, also known as “City”.
12:50 p.m. – Putin sent his “sincere congratulations” to Charles III
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday sent his “sincere congratulations” to Charles III, officially proclaimed king in London during a ceremony endorsing his accession to the throne after the death of his mother Elizabeth II, the Kremlin said. “Please receive my sincere congratulations on your accession to the throne,” Putin said in a telegram, addressed to Charles III, according to a Kremlin statement. “I wish Your Majesty success, robust health and all the good,” he continued.
12:40 p.m. – A second proclamation will take place at 1 p.m. on the London Stock Exchange
If Charles is proclaimed king this Saturday, he will not be crowned for several months. The royal family is currently respecting a national mourning and the organization of the coronation requires a long work of preparation.
12:25 p.m. – “Hip hip hurray”, chant the guards
The guards posted in the courtyard celebrate the official proclamation of the king with cries of three “hip hip hurrays” while raising their famous black hats.
12:10 p.m. – 41 cannon shots fired across the UK in honor of King Charles III
These gunfire across the UK began just after David White, King-at-Arms of the Order of the Garter, proclaimed Charles III the new king.
12:00 p.m. – Charles III proclaimed king on the balcony of Saint-James
After the Royal Guards sound the trumpets from St. James’s Balcony, the Master-at-Arms of the Order of the Garter publicly proclaims the kingship of Charles III from the balcony of St. James’s Palace. The proclamation will then be relayed by half a dozen heralds in horse-drawn carriages who will also go to read it in Trafalgar Square, then at the Royal Exchange.
11:50 a.m. – A public holiday for the British on the day of the funeral of Elizabeth II
The state funeral of Elizabeth II is due to take place on Monday September 19 at Westminster Abbey in London with dignitaries expected from around the world. The coffin should arrive there followed by the family on foot. The country will then freeze for two minutes of silence and this day will be a holiday.
11:45 a.m. – The ceremony on the balcony expected at noon
Charles III will speak to the crowd in about fifteen minutes.
11:35 a.m. – The witnesses of Charles III sign the oath
King Charles III signed two official documents to confirm that he took the oath. Prince William and Queen Consort, Camilla, also signed these documents as witnesses.
11:31 a.m. – “May Almighty God guide me”, declares Charles III
“I will do my best to follow the example that inspired me, to seek peace, harmony and prosperity. (…) I know that I will be accompanied by the affection and loyalty of people. I am encouraged in all these actions by my beloved wife. (…) I will dedicate what remains of my life to this task. May Almighty God guide me”, continued Charles III, before taking the oath linked to the security of the Church of Scotland.
11:27 a.m. – “The reign of my mother had no equal”, declares Charles III
“It is my duty to announce the death of my beloved mother the Queen, I know how much the nation, the whole world is with me in this irreparable loss. (…) My mother gave an example of service and my mother’s reign had no equal. We must be grateful to her whole life, I am aware of this heritage, of the duties and responsibilities passed down,” said Charles III.