Charles III is announced as king from St. James’s Palace in London before the news is ceremoniously 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.
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.
A text was then read announcing the rise of Charles to king.
– God bless the king, echoed through 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 like no other, said Charles.
He also promised to follow his mother’s example.
After the statement, he 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 midnight the announcement is made in public.
Then the Capo dell’Araldica (Coat of arms) arrives at the balcony of the Palazzo di San Giacomo.
After the trumpet fanfare, the announcement of the death of the queen and a new king will be read from the balcony. There will also be greetings, including from the Tower of London.
According to BBC it is customary for the words “The queen is dead, long live the king” to be said at the end, although this is not part of the official text of the announcement.
The bikers will then ceremoniously go to town with the news.
An hour later, the same announcement will be 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 will also be read at similar ceremonies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
As a result, there will be greetings and announcements at national assemblies (corresponding to Storting in Norway) in many of the Commonwealth states where Charles will also become king, such as New Zealand and Australia.
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The flags will be raised at the top at twelve and will remain so until two, when the flags will again be 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 of her funeral has not yet been set.
