King Charles vows to follow example of his late Mother

King Charles pledged on Saturday to follow the example of his late mother as he was officially proclaimed Britain's new monarch in a historic ceremony featuring centuries-old tradition and the pageantry of trumpets sounding amid gold brocade.

The death of 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth on Thursday after 70 years on the throne set in train long-established and highly choreographed plans for days of national mourning and a state funeral that will be held in just over a week.

Charles, 73, immediately succeeded his mother but an Accession Council met at St James's - the most senior royal palace in the United Kingdom which was built by order of Henry VIII in the 1530s - on Saturday to proclaim him as king.


"I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty which have now passed to me," Charles 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 peace, harmony and prosperity of peoples of these islands and of Commonwealth realms & territories throughout the world."

The Funeral

Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest on September 19, Buckingham Palace announced, hours after her son was officially proclaimed King Charles III. The funeral, which will be designated a national holiday, will be held at Westminster Abbey in London, the Palace said in a statement.