King Charles III made his first address as the new monarch on Friday (September 9). In a pre-recorded message from Buckingham Palace, an emotional Charles was dressed in a black suit and sat beside a photo of his late mother.
He described the Queen as his 'beloved mother' who was an 'inspiration' and 'example' to him and all his family. "We owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe to their mother, for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.
"Queen Elizabeth's was a life well lived, a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. " He added: "That promise of life-long service I renew to you all today."
Read more: King Charles III kissed on hand by royal fan as he arrives at Buckingham Palace
The King spoke about the 'personal grief' that he and 'all my family are feeling', which he said was also shared with the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and across the world. Charles said his mother pledged to devote her life “to the service of her peoples” on her 21st birthday in 1947.
He added: “That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty. Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never waivered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss.”
“In the course of the last 70 years we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths. The institutions of the State have changed in turn. But, through all changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of Realms – of whose talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud – have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained, and must remain, constant.
“The role and the duties of Monarchy also remain, as does the Sovereign’s particular relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England – the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted. In that faith, and the values it inspires, I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government.
The King continued: “As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation."
"And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life."
He said this was a 'time of change' for his family, adding: "I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla. In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort.
“I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much." Charles said he was creating his son and heir, William, Prince of Wales adding: “With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.”
The King added he wished to “express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas”. He continued: “My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply.
"But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.” The King continued: “In a little over a week’s time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example.
“On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express."
The King ended his address by saying: “To my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you.
"Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May ‘flights of angels sing thee to thy rest’.”
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