by Michael Holden and Kate Holton
LONDON (Reuters) – King Charles vowed to follow the example of his late mother as he was formally proclaimed as Britain’s new monarch on Saturday in a historic ceremony accompanied by glorious, age-old tradition and “God bless the King” chants.
The death of 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth on Thursday, after 70 years on the throne, set into motion well-established and highly choreographed plans for days of national mourning and a state funeral in just over an hour. .
Charles, 73, was immediately succeeded by his mother, but an Accession Council decided to call him King in the 1530s to proclaim him king on Saturday.
Consisting of private councilors whose secular role was to advise the monarch, the council included his son and heir William, his wife Camilla, and Britain’s new prime minister, Liz Truss, who signed the accession declaration.
Six former prime ministers, bishops, and several politicians chanted “God save the king” as the advertisement passed.
“I am deeply aware of the duties and heavy responsibilities of this great legacy and of the Sovereignty now passed on to me,” said Charles.
In assuming these responsibilities, I must seek to follow the inspiring example set before me in supporting constitutional government and seeking peace, harmony and prosperity for the peoples of these islands and for the Commonwealth kingdoms and lands around the world. ? .
Several hundred people were allowed onto the field, including young children on their parents’ shoulders, a woman holding flowers, and the elderly, many of whom recorded the moment on their smartphones.
ROYAL PUMP
Charles is the 41st monarch in a lineage that goes back to King William the Conqueror, who conquered the English throne in 1066. Saturday’s events reflected proclamations announcing new kings and queens dating back hundreds of years.
It was the first televised proclamation of a monarch. And for most Brits, it was the first such event in their lives as Elizabeth was the only monarch they had ever known. Charles was only three years old when she became queen in 1952.
After the events at St James’s, a military group led by soldiers, heralds and men in ceremonial garb carrying banners and spears, traveled via London to the Royal Exchange, the capital’s first purpose-built trading post dating back to 1566, where the proclamation was read. Again.
The ad will also run in other UK capitals – Edinburgh in Scotland, Belfast in Northern Ireland and Cardiff in Wales.
The death of Elizabeth, Britain’s longest reigning monarch, sparked a worldwide flood of tribute. Buildings and monuments in Europe, America and Africa were illuminated in red, white and blue in England.
In parliament, members of the congress lined up to swear allegiance to the new king, led by Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle.
People began to gather again outside the royal palaces on Saturday, and thousands flocked to Buckingham Palace to commemorate the Queen and Charles. Outside the remote Scottish castle of Balmoral, deep in the Scottish highlands, a group of people waiting to lay flowers ran more than 500 meters.
“It’s a touching moment in our country’s history,” said Ian Bilboe, 54-year-old design manager. “(We) are here to be a part of it and pay homage to the late queen and the new king.”
Charles is the king and head of state of not only the United Kingdom but 14 other kingdoms including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
‘GREAT MOTHER OF THE NATION’
England has declared mourning until the funeral of Elizabeth, who was once described by her grandson Harry as the “grandmother of the nation”.
The date hasn’t been announced, but it’s expected to be a little over a week, and Charles announced Saturday will be a public holiday.
Leaders from around the world are expected to be in London for the funeral, including US President Joe Biden, who said he would attend on Friday.
Charles’ coronation as king will take place at a later date, and its timing is still uncertain. There was a gap of 16 months between Elizabeth’s becoming Queen and her 1953 coronation.
The new king pledged to serve the nation with “loyalty, respect and love” in his first televised address as king on Friday.
On his way back to London from Scotland, where his mother died, early Friday, his first public appearance outside Buckingham Palace was met with applause, cheers and a crowd chanting “God Bless the King”.
Charles also said in his speech that he had made his eldest son, William, 40, the new Prince of Wales, a title he has held for over 50 years, a title traditionally held by the heir to the throne.
William’s wife, Kate, becomes Princess of Wales, a role fulfilled by the late Princess Diana.
DISCUSSION ABOUT THE MONARCH?
Elizabeth, the world’s oldest and oldest head of state, was only 25 years old when her father, King VI. He ascended the throne after George’s death on February 6, 1952.
Over the decades, he has witnessed a seismic shift in the social, political and economic structure of his nation. Despite intense media scrutiny and his family’s frequent public challenges, he has earned praise for leading the monarchy into the 21st century and modernizing it in the process.
Charles, whose polls show him less popular than his mother, is now tasked with securing the future of the institution.
Graham Smith, president of the anti-monarchist group Republic, said: “While we agree that many people reflect on the loss of the Queen, the UK needs a discussion about the future of the monarchy in light of King Charles’ ascension to the throne.” , aforementioned.
Republican rumors surfaced from time to time during Elizabeth’s long reign, but the love and respect she held meant that there was never a serious threat to the monarchy. Now Republicans hope that the end of the 1,000-year-old institution may be one step closer.
(Translation by the Brazilian Office, 55 11 5047-2695); REUTERS BC)
source: Noticias
