King Charles III was publicly proclaimed Britain’s new monarch on Saturday, in a modern version of an Anglo-Saxon ceremony steeped in political symbolism that was televised for the first time.
The event at St. James’s Palace in London was followed by gun salutes, fanfares, declarations across the United Kingdom and was is followed by a call for silence.
The meeting of the Accession Council was attended by Charles, his son and heir William, whose new title is the Prince of Wales, and wife Camilla, Queen Consort, as well as a host of senior political and religious figures.
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A statement was read to the public from the balcony of the palace and read throughout Britain.
The ceremony is part of long-established and highly choreographed plans for the days of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday and whose state funeral will be held on Monday, September 19 as announced by The Royal Family.
Tim Duke then reads the proclamation, which is the same wording as one delivered by David White an hour ago, at Friary Court. The wording can be found here (11:04).
It is followed by a shout of “God Save the King”, a fanfare, and then the first verse of the national anthem is played. Three cheers are given for His Majesty, before crowds applaud.
The Guardian’s royal reporter Caroline Davies has this dispatch: “At The Royal Exchange in the City, the reading aloud of the proclamation at noon was preceded by the pomp and pageantry of a grand ceremonial procession through the economic heart of the nation, reflecting the unique relationship between the monarch and the City of London.
“This was the second proclamation. Other proclamations will follow in coming days in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
While all football fixtures are off in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland this weekend, other sporting matches have gone ahead.
In the cricket, tributes were paid to the Queen during day three of the third test between England and South Africa at the Oval.
Premiership rugby union matches will also go ahead on Saturday.
