LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s new king, Charles III, enjoyed his first walkabout on Friday on his return to Buckingham Palace in London, where an emotional crowd communed in memory of Queen Elizabeth II .
King Charles and his wife Camilla, now queen consort, got out of the royal carriage just outside the gates of Buckingham Palace in an unexpected move as they returned from Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where Elizabeth II died on Thursday.
Both dressed in black, they approached the crowd to the applause and cheers of several hundred people, according to television footage.
The new monarch then shook dozens of hands and spent more than ten minutes contemplating the many bouquets placed in tribute to his mother. Some people sang “God save the King”, while another shouted “Charles je t’aime!” (“Love you Charles!”).
One woman kissed Charles’ hand while another leaned over the guard rail to hug him and kiss him on the cheek. Several people expressed their condolences to him.
Many people pointed their mobile phones at the king, who was accompanied by security personnel. A security guard asked people to put down their phones as the king approached and just enjoy the moment.
Charles and Camilla then walked through the palace gates.
(Report Kylie MacLellan, written by Sachin Ravikumar; French version Valentine Baldassari, edited by Sophie Louet)
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