The announcement comes two days after the death of Elizabeth II, who ruled the country for 70 years. For the first time in UK history, the official announcement was broadcast live on television.
At 10am, Board of Access chairwoman Benny Mordant entered St James’s Palace and was the first to announce the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Later, 73-year-old Prince Charles was proclaimed king as Charles III. The reading of the text ended with “God save the king” and was taken to heart by members of the audience.
The statement was signed by council members including Prime Minister Liz Truss and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
Queen Consort Camilla and the new heir to the throne, Prince William of Wales, attended the ceremony. No Charles III.
Former British Prime Ministers John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson attended the announcement.
This was symbolic, as Charles automatically became king the moment his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died. He delivered his first speech as king on Friday evening, where he pledged to serve the British people for the rest of his life with “loyalty, honor and love”.
The Accession Council is responsible for officially declaring the new sovereignty of the United Kingdom. It features members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and former politicians and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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