UK royals latest updates: King Charles III proclaimed new monarch

Jonathan Spangler, a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, has praised the evolvement of the monarchy.

“Over the centuries, the monarchy has been evolving and changing from the people who wield power into a more ceremonial, symbolic dynasty who represent the identity of the people,” he said.

“This is a transfer of power of a nation’s spiritual identity, and therefore the nation should see it [televised].”

Ed Owens, a royal historian, said the “highly choreographed pageantry” of Saturday’s ceremony is a direct message to the British public that the monarchy is very much entrenched in the fabric of Britain’s history.

“There’s a clear emphasis on pomp, pageantry – a vision of British history unfolding before our eyes,” Owens said from London.

“The point here is that the crown never dies,” he continued. “As soon as the mortal monarch dies, the crown then passes directly to the successor.

“The professionalisation of the kind of royal spectacle that is unfolding in central London today really took place in the late 19th, early 20th century. And that is because the monarchy sought to make itself the centre of British history, and the kind of orchestration of these kinds of events that we’re witnessing today are about presenting to the masses, especially to television viewers, what is it that British history means.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated King Charles III on his accession to the throne.

“I wish Your Majesty success, good health, and all the best,” Putin said in a statement, tweeted by his country’s embassy in London.

President Vladimir Putin congratulated His Majesty King Charles III on the Accession to the throne. pic.twitter.com/GzPZ3vYbb0

— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) September 10, 2022

William Patey, the former British ambassador to Afghanistan, has praised the ascension ceremony.

“I never really had any doubt that it would be done according to military precision and that it would all run smoothly,” Patey told Al Jazeera.

“What strikes me is the continuity, which is reassuring. I am a historian as well as a former diplomat and these traditions go back a thousand years – and none of us have seen them. It’s very interesting times.”

King Charles III has approved an order that the day of the late queen’s funeral will be a public holiday.

Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt said: “Drafts of two proclamations. One – appointing the day of Her late Majesty’s state funeral as a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“Two – appointing the day of Her late Majesty’s state funeral as a bank holiday in Scotland. And of two orders in council, directing the Lord Chancellor to affix the great seal to the proclamations,” she said.

King Charles answered: “Approved.”

A crowd cheered on as David White, the Garter King of Arms, read out the official proclamation of Charles as Britain’s new king from a balcony above London’s St James’s Palace.

“Three cheers for His Majesty the King,” the senior herald in England shouted from the balcony, prompting a response of “hip, hip, hurrah” from soldiers below.

Noel McDermott, a psychotherapist, told Al Jazeera the ascension to the throne in the eye of the public must be “challenging” to King Charles III.

“He’s just lost his mum, and I think understanding that on a human level is really important,” said McDermott from Birmingham.

“But I guess a part of him is still wanting to do the right thing which is a normal reaction most of us have when we lose somebody that we love. We would want to do things in a way that is respectful to their memory.”

Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull said the proclamation will be read from the balcony outside St James’s Palace shortly.

“At some point King Charles III – along with Queen Consort Camilla – will make his way back to Buckingham Palace,” Hull said. “We saw a Grenadier band passing here a short while ago, part of the pageantry and ceremony that will accompany the king from St James’s Palace back to Buckingham Palace. There will also be a gun salute from Hyde Park.”

“My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen.

“It is my most sorrowful duty to announce to you the death of my beloved Mother, The Queen.

“I know how deeply you, the entire Nation – and I think I may say the whole world – sympathise with me in the irreparable loss we have all suffered. It is the greatest consolation to me to know of the sympathy expressed by so many to my Sister and Brothers and that such overwhelming affection and support should be extended to our whole family in our loss.

“To all of us as a family, as to this kingdom and the wider family of nations of which it is a part, my Mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service.

“My mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life.

“I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me.

“In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these Islands and of the Commonwealth Realms and Territories throughout the world.

“In this purpose, I know that I shall be upheld by the affection and loyalty of the peoples whose Sovereign I have been called upon to be, and that in the discharge of these duties I will be guided by the counsel of their elected parliaments. In all this, I am profoundly encouraged by the constant support of my beloved wife.

“I take this opportunity to confirm my willingness and intention to continue the tradition of surrendering the hereditary revenues, including the crown estate, to my government for the benefit of all, in return for the sovereign grant, which supports my official duties as head of state and head of nation.

“And in carrying out the heavy task that has been laid upon me, and to which I now dedicate what remains to me of my life, I pray for the guidance and help of almighty God.”

Making a declaration after formally being proclaimed king at a ceremony in London, Charles III said: “My lords, ladies and gentlemen, it is my most sorrowful duty to announce to you the death of my beloved mother, the queen.

“I know how deeply you, the entire nation, and I think I may say the whole world, sympathise with me in the irreparable loss we’ve all suffered.

“It is the greatest consolation to me to know the sympathy expressed by so many to my sister and brothers.

“And that such overwhelming affection and support should be extended to our whole family in our loss.”

King Charles III has promised to follow in the steps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth’s “inspiring example”.

In a speech at St James’s Palace, the new monarch said he is “deeply aware” of the “duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty”.

The ceremony at St James’s Palace, a royal residence in London, is attended by the Accession Council, made up of senior politicians and officials who advise the monarch. They met without Charles, officially confirming his title, King Charles III. The king will then join them to make a series of oaths and declarations.

It is the first time the ceremony has been held since 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II took the throne.

Christopher Wilson, royal biographer, says the signing of the proclamation is a historic moment.

“As a royal historian, I was incredibly moved by what I saw,” he told Al Jazeera from London. “This is something that has never been witnessed in public ever before in 1,200 years of monarchy in this country.”

Wilson said the event showcased the pecking order of the most powerful figures in the United Kingdom, who all endorsed the new sovereign.

“William comes first because he is the future king himself, and Camilla – although she is now queen- comes second,” he said.

Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons, was next to sign the proclamation, followed by Prime Minister Liz Truss,  the archbishop of Canterbury, and the duke of Norfolk.