King Charles III was formally proclaimed the monarch of the United Kingdom in a historic ceremony at St. James’ Palace on Saturday.
Charles automatically became king after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died on Thursday, and the Accession Council formalised him as the sovereign—officially confirming his position.
The Accession Council, which consists of senior politicians and officials who advise the monarch, attended the ceremony at St. James’s Palace, a royal residence in London.
God save the King were the words with which those gathered reaffirmed the proclamation made by the clerk of the council.
At the ceremony, King Charles III was accompanied by his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, and his eldest son Prince William, who will now be heir to the throne and known as the Prince of Wales.
On Friday, King Charles III set the tone for his reign, vowing in a televised address to continue the queen’s “lifelong service.”
“…to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and the family of nations, which you have served with such zeal over the years,” the monarch said of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The throne had passed to the 73-year-old former Prince of Wales following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday and Saturday’s ceremony marked his formal declaration and oath taking at St. James’s Palace in London.
King Charles was joined by his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, and his son and heir Prince William the new Prince of Wales.