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LONDON — King Charles III was publicly proclaimed Britain’s new monarch Saturday, in a modern version of an Anglo-Saxon ceremony steeped in political symbolism that was televised for the first time.
The event at St. James’s Palace in London was followed by gun salutes, fanfare and declarations across the United Kingdom. The meeting of the Accession Council was attended by Charles, his son and heir William, whose new title is Prince of Wales, and wife Camilla, Queen Consort, as well as a host of senior political and religious figures.
A statement was issued to the public from the balcony of the palace and read throughout Britain.
The ceremony is part of long-established and highly choreographed plans for the days of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday. Buckingham Palace announced Saturday that the queen's state funeral will take place Sep. 19 at Westminster Abbey in London.
Following the ceremony, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, reunited at Windsor Castle in the afternoon, appearing to put aside their rift to pay tribute to their late grandmother.
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Remebrances services to be held for queen to held across U.K.
Remembrance services for Queen Elizabeth II will be held across the U.K. on the first Sunday after her death.
Special guidance has been issued by the Church of England on services during the period of mourning.
“Flags to be lowered to half mast, and to remain at this height until the day after the State Funeral,” it says, adding that bells should be rung at a “practicable” time.
The queen was formally the Defender of the Faith and governor of the Church of England, titles dating back centuries that have now passed to her son.
Sunday: Queen Elizabeth leaves Balmoral for the last time
On Sunday, the queen's coffin will be driven from Balmoral Castle, Royal Deeside, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
Public viewing of the vehicle will be possible along the route in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen and Dundee, officials said.
The queen’s coffin will be carried into the Throne Room at Holyroodhouse, where it will remain until Monday.
Proclamations for the queen will be read elsewhere in Scotland, in Northern Ireland and Wales.
King Charles II will be the subject of two public proclamations of his ascension Sunday in Edinburgh, a noontime announcement by Lord Lyon King of Arms to the people of Scotland at Mercat Cross, and the second at Edinburgh Castle.
Large crowds were expected.
Denmark's queen scales back her jubilee after Queen Elizabeth's death
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe canceled, postponed and scaled back events of her own jubilee this weekend in which she marks 50 years on the throne of Europe’s oldest ruling monarchy.
Queen Margrethe, 82, whose reign is now Europe’s longest, has praised Britain’s late monarch as “a towering figure among European monarchs and a great inspiration to us all,” adding that “We shall miss her terribly.”
The Danish monarch also asked for a moment of silence Saturday evening before a gala performance at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen.
Billboards around the world pay homage to Queen Elizabeth II
Displayed in a solid black background, images of the queen in her earlier years and in her 90s accompanied by the queen’s initials could be seen across buildings in Manila, Philippines.
This is one of the many tributes seen across the world as people continue to commemorate the queen’s legacy.
'Very lovely to see': Happy reaction in Windsor as William and Harry reunite
Flowers left at former residence recall a young Elizabeth in Malta
The house, now abandoned and crumbling, once rang with the voices of a young couple military couple. Now, flowers left at the doorstep recall the long life of a beloved queen.
Between 1949 and 1951, then-Princess Elizabeth lived off and on in Villa Guardamangia, just outside the Maltese capital of Valletta. Her husband, Philip, not yet a prince, was a naval officer stationed on the island, aboard the HMS Chequers and then as commander of HMS Magpie.
Official biographies refer to this era as one of the happiest, seemingly normal times of Elizabeth's life. Local newspapers at the time reported her driving herself around the island, going to movies, visiting a local hairdresser and hosting parties for military wives.
Since 2020 Guardamangia has been owned by Heritage Malta, which has announced plans to restore the property and create a museum.
William, Kate, Harry and Meghan greet the public at Windsor tribute
Mourners remember Queen Elizabeth II at memorial outside British embassy in D.C.
King Charles hosts PM Liz Truss and other British politicians
After he was publicly proclaimed Britain’s new monarch, King Charles III held his first audiences at Buckingham Palace on Saturday afternoon.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Liz Truss and other politicians, including members of her Cabinet and opposition leaders, as well as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Royal family said on Twitter.
British soccer criticized for canceling play after queen’s death
British soccer has come under fire for its decision to postpone this weekend’s round of fixtures following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with some fans questioning the move in contrast to other sports bodies who opted to let play resume.
The Football Supporters’ Association, which represents soccer fans in England and Wales, said the cancelation of games was a missed opportunity for fans to pay their respect.
“We believe football is at its finest when bringing people together at times of huge national significance — be those moments of joy or moments of mourning,” the FSA said.
Grassroots and local soccer games have also been canceled by the Football Association, the game's national governing body.