Prince William says the late Queen would be “a proud mother” after the nation came together to witness history at King Charles’ Coronation.
In a heartfelt speech, the Prince of Wales paid tribute to his father’s list of lifetime accomplishments, from passionately campaigning on the environment to changing the lives of one million disadvantaged young people by creating the Prince’s Trust Awards.
As the country digests what is next for the royal family following the most diverse and inclusive Coronation in history, the heir proclaimed: “Pa, we are all so proud of you.”
At the spectacular concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle, where the late Queen Elizabeth spent most of her final years, William heralded Charles’ commitment to duty spanning more than 50 years helping communities across the UK and the Commonwealth.
After a television audience of more than 18 million Brits watched William swear an oath to the King in Westminster Abbey, kneeling down and vowing to be “your liege man of life and limb”, tonight the Prince of Wales proclaimed his own commitment “King, Country and Commonwealth.”
To huge cheers, William thanked the 20,000 in attendance including thousands of heroes from the coronavirus pandemic.
After dropping in a dad joke in reference to headliner Lionel Richie, promising not to “go on all night long”, he said: “I want to say a few words about my father, and why I believe this weekend is so important.
“As my Grandmother said when she was crowned, Coronations are a declaration of our hopes for the future.
“And I know she’s up there, fondly keeping an eye on us.
“She would be a proud mother.”
A day after celebrating with the nation and the royal family, William made clear his feelings on the role of the monarchy, which has become a central topic in the years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ’s acrimonious departure from the royal fold.
In one of their continued barbs about the institution, The Duke and Duchess in the past claimed “service is universal”, despite quitting their roles and earning millions of dollars in corporate deals.
William said: “For all that celebrations are magnificent, at the heart of the pageantry is a simple message - service.”
Charles was ridiculed in the 1970s when he began speaking out about the scourge of plastics and the incalculable damage to the environment.
So too were his efforts derided in 1976 when he set up the charity that has become his legacy, to help vulnerable young people get their lives on track.
A million 11-to-30-year-olds who are unemployed or struggling at school and at risk of exclusion have been helped by The Prince’s Trust, adding to the creation of 125,000 entrepreneurs and business support to 395,000 people in the UK.
Famous faces who have been supported include Bafta award winner Idris Elba and global star magician Dynamo.
William added: “My father’s first words on entering Westminster Abbey yesterday were a pledge of service.
“It was a pledge to continue to serve.”
“Because for over 50 years, in every corner of the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world, he has dedicated himself to serve others, both current and future generations, and those whose memory must not be neglected.
“Take the natural world.
“He warned us of the risks to our planet’s health long before it was an everyday issue.
“Or the Prince’s Trust. It has supported over a million young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, to realise their ambitions.
“And, perhaps most importantly of all, my father has always understood that people of all faiths, all backgrounds, and all communities, deserve to be celebrated and supported.
Royal insiders were surprised William, 40, did not mention his step-mother Camilla, the new Queen, in his speech, but sources said the heir was committed to “paying tribute to his father’s life of service”, on his Coronation weekend.
Millions basked in the sunshine when attending street parties across the country.
Thousands of communities will continue to cap of an incredible Coronation weekend on Monday by joining the Big Help Out, a project to get people involved in local community projects as a legacy of the King’s crowning and heralding in a new era.
The crowd cheered and celebrated as William ended with a final tribute:
“Pa, we are all so proud of you.
“I commit myself to serve you all.
“King, Country and Commonwealth.
“God Save The King!”
