King Charles III has addressed the nation for the first time since becoming king and since her mother, Queen Elizabeth II died.
He automatically became King on Thursday after Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 at the Balmoral Castle.
The new king said he was speaking to the nation with feelings of profound sorrow.
“Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.
“Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today,” he said.
King Charles said alongside the personal grief that all his family members were feeling, they also shared with so many of people in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where The Queen was Head of State, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than 70 years in which his Mother, as Queen, served the people of so many nations.
King Charles pledges to serve, uphold the Queen’s values
King Charles has pledged to serve the people of United Kingdom and uphold her mother’s values as he assumed reign as king.
In his first public address to the nation yesterday, the king pledged to uphold Queen Elizabeth’s values.
He said 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.
“Wherever you may live in the United Kingdom or in the realms and territories across the world and whatever maybe your background and beliefs I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.”
King Charles made son, William new Prince of Wales
The King said his life would of course change as he took up my new responsibilities, as it would no longer be possible for him to give so much of his time and energies to the charities and issues for which he cared so deeply.
“But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.
“This is also a time of change for my family. 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,” he said.
King Charles said he knew she would bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which he had come to rely so much.
