Carlos III paid homage to Isabel II in the first speech as king from Buckingham Palace. “I renew my mother’s promise of service,” she declared in a sober and emotional tone, vowing to follow the example of her predecessor who died on Thursday. “Just as the queen dedicated herself with total devotion, I also solemnly pledge for as long as God grants me to uphold constitutional principles at the heart of our nation & rdquor ;, he claimed. Carlos mentioned the ‘dear’ Camila, the queen consort, the heir Guillermo and his wife Catalina. He also declared his “love & rdquor; to Henry and Meghan.
The audio of his speech was heard in the cathedral of San Pablo, where a religious service was held in memory of the sovereign with 2,000 personalities of British life and politics, including Prime Minister Lizz Truss and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. During the act, the new version of the national anthem was performed for the first time. ‘God Save the Queen’ (God save the Queen), became ‘God Save the King’ (God save the king).
A few hours before, Carlos had landed in London accompanied by his wife from Balmoral. Arriving at Buckingham Palace to take possession of his new official residence, he got out of the car and stopped for a long time to greet and shake hands with some of the thousands and thousands of people gathered in front of the emblematic building symbol of the British monarchy, where hundreds of bouquets of flowers accumulate. That crowd bath, which seemed to enjoy and must have made the security services very nervous, symbolized better than words the moment of the change of reign, after the initial shock of the citizens by the death of Elizabeth II the day before.
One of the first official acts as king was to receive audience to Truss. The two were released in their respective positions this week, an unusual historical coincidence. The king also met with the Duke of Norfolk, who from the hereditary position of Earl Marshal is in charge of the final details of the plans for the funeral, a tradition that dates back to the 18th century. The operation was discussed in the extraordinary council of ministers convened by Truss. The night before he had chaired a coordination meeting with police officials and members of the Royal House to discuss the complex implementation of the ceremonial in the capital for the next ten days, with times when crowds are expected in the streets.
Parliament’s Tribute
In Parliament, the political class paid a long and heartfelt tribute to the Head of State for 70 years. The deputies shared memories, personal anecdotes and paid tribute to the sovereign. “Today we remember her commitment when she turned 21, hers to dedicate her life to the service of the nation. The whole House will agree that never one promise was fulfilled more faithfully & rdquor;Truss stated. The leader of the opposition Keir Starmer, made it clear that Elizabeth II “He did not simply reign. She lived among us. She shared our hopes and fears, our joy and our pain. The good and the bad times”. Boris Johnson he offered the impression he has left from weekly audiences with the monarch during his time as prime minister. “She was as radiant as she was wise and as fascinated by politics as she was wise, the wisest person I know.”
Proclamation
The Parliament will open this Saturday exceptionally, coinciding with the act of official proclamation of Carlos as king by the Accession Council, a traditional ceremony that will take place in the Palace of St. James and is repeated at the death of a monarch to proclaim the accession of the hitherto heir. On this occasion the ritual will be televised live for the first time. After the ceremony, the Proclamation will be read publicly from the balcony of the Palace, readings that will be repeated in the City of London, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland on Sunday.
Mourning and funeral
The “real duel & rdquor; will last until seven days after the queen’s funeral, whose date has not yet been confirmed, according to the statement released by Buckingham Palace. It will be a state funeral, in Westminster Abbey, quite possibly on Monday, September 19, which will be attended by members of European royalty and high-ranking leaders from around the world.
Related news
The body of the queen will remain throughout the weekend at Balmoral. On Monday he will be installed in the Throne Room of the Holyroodhouse Palace, the royal’s official residence in Edinburgh, where he will be watched over for 24 hours by members of his family. The coffin will later be flown to London. The catafalque will be installed in Buckingham Palace.
On the official website of the British royal family, on the page dedicated to Camila, it appeared on Friday with the title of Queen Consort. From the Royal House it was also made known that, in the King’s coronation ceremony, a great pageantry still undated, Camila will also be crowned Queen.