Charles III was announced as king from St. James’s Palace in London before the news was ceremonially brought to the country on horseback.
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Today Charles III is proclaimed King of Great Britain and 14 other countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Charles automatically became king on the death of Queen Elizabeth.
On Friday he promised to serve the British people with “loyalty, respect and love”. his first speech as king.
What happens today is that he is officially proclaimed king in public, in ceremonies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The ceremony dates back to the times when the news traveled on horseback and was shouted in the squares and meeting places.
This is the first time the announcement has been broadcast live on television.
The actual coronation of the king will only take place later, the time has not yet been set.
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Ancient ceremony
The announcement of a new king takes place in ceremonial forms with ancient roots.
At eleven o’clock today, Norwegian time, parts of Charles’ royal council gathered at St. James’s Palace, one of Britain’s oldest palaces.
The royal council is today primarily a ceremonial gathering of advisers, but it follows a tradition that dates back to when the Normans ruled England, from the late 11th century, where the royal council had great power.
The council meets first and appoints Charles king, along with a number of senior officials.
Then a text was read announcing the death of the queen and the rise of Charles to king.
– God bless the King, echoed around the room as the declaration was read.
The announcement was then signed, among others, by the Prime Minister, two archbishops and several other senior officials.
Also present were Charles’s wife, Queen Camilla and Crown Prince William, who signed the announcement.
The six surviving prime ministers of the country were also present.
Shortly before half past twelve, Charles entered the room and announced the queen’s death.
“My mother’s reign was unprecedented in terms of length, dedication and devotion,” said Charles.
He also promised to strive to follow his mother’s “inspiring example”.
It was a declaration of love to his mother. The queen promised her time of hers that she would serve the nation regardless of whether her life was long or short. Charles now had a similar wording, where he says that “for what’s left of my life” he promised to do the same. I experienced it as a greeting to his mother, reporter Ingunn Saltbones said during the live broadcast of the announcement.
Saltbones has covered the royal house for a number of years.
Sworn oath
After the statement, Charles was sworn in.
The oath concerns the king who swears to preserve the independence of the Church of Scotland. As Charles becomes head of the Church of England, Scotland has a separation of church and state.
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At twelve the announcement took place in public.
Then the Capo dell’Araldica (Coat of Arms) came to the balcony of the Palazzo di San Giacomo.
After the fanfare of the trumpet, the announcement of the death of the queen and a new king was read.
The national anthem was then played, now with the text “God bless the king” rather than “God bless the queen”, before cheers were shouted three times for the new king.
Then greetings were fired, including at Hyde Park and the Tower of London.
The bikers will then ceremoniously go to town with the news.
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At one o’clock the same announcement was read at the statue of Charles I at Charring Cross, just below Trafalgar Square, and in the old Royal Exchange square in central London.
The announcement was also read in similar ceremonies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
As a result, there have been greetings and announcements at national assemblies (corresponding to Storting in Norway) in many of the Commonwealth states where Charles also becomes king, such as New Zealand and Australia.
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The flags were raised up at twelve and remained so until two, when the flag was once again waved at half mast.
In Great Britain a state of mourning was declared until after the queen’s funeral. This means, among other things, that flags are being flown at half mast in the country and that some major events have been canceled. The date for her funeral has not yet been set, but is expected to take place on September 19, according to The Guardian.
