King Charles delivers first Address as monarch

September 9, 2022September 9, 2022 Editor

“As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation,” King Charles III said.

King Charles III is speaking to the United Kingdom — and the rest of the globe.

Following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, the day before, the 73-year-old prince delivered his first address since ascending the throne on Friday.

In the pre-recorded address, which will be broadcast at 6 p.m. The new sovereign hailed his predecessor’s historic heritage of service and how it will inspire his own reign, according to local time.

“I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow,” King Charles began, seated in the Blue Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace, a photo of Queen Elizabeth beside him. “Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding, and example. Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.

Saying that he and his family share in the world’s grief, he also pointed to the collective “deep sense of gratitude” for Her Majesty’s record-breaking reign.

“In 1947, on her twenty-first birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her people. That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life,” Charles said “She made sacrifices for duty. Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never waivered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss.”

He highlighted that Queen Elizabeth arrived on the throne in the aftermath of World War II amid an uncertain future for democracy and freedom in general, citing his mother’s “fearless embrace of development” with “warmth, humor, and an unerring capacity always to see the best in people.”

King Charles also stated that his wife Camilla would be known as Queen Consort, mirroring Queen Elizabeth’s expressed preference earlier this year. He also elevated his eldest son, Prince William, to the title of Prince of Wales.

“As my Heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me,” Charles said. “He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall which I have undertaken for more than five decades. Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty. With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where vital help can be given.”

“I want to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their life overseas,” King Charles said of his son Prince Harry and daughter-in-law Meghan Markle.
After assuming power as the head of the Church of England alongside the crown, Charles stated that he treated the ecclesiastical responsibilities with the utmost regard.

“In that faith, and the values it inspires, I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms, and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government,” he explained.

“As The Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation,” the new King continued. “And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect, and love, as I have throughout my life.”

Charles and Camilla arrived in London on Friday. The arrival was significant because it was their first visit to the capital city as monarch and consort.

The senior royals had flown to the Queen’s side in the Scottish Highlands earlier this week after Buckingham Palace stated that her doctors were “concerned” about Her Majesty’s health. Charles had been in Scotland on Wednesday on business.

Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday that Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96 at her beloved Balmoral Castle.

“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” officials said in a statement. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

Charles was further referred to as “His Majesty, the King” on letterhead from Buckingham Palace, in his first statement as monarch following the death of his mother

“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” King Charles said.

“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother,” he continued. “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”

“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held,” the King concluded.

According to Politico, a state funeral for Queen Elizabeth will be held at Westminster Abbey in the following days, followed by a committal service in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The Queen will thereafter be laid to rest in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle.