Ceremonial costumes, parade of the oldest British regiment… three days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, on Saturday September 10, the British monarchy showed all its pomp to proclaim Charles III king. The ceremony, broadcast for the first time on television, brought together 200 members of the Privy Council, supposed to have an advisory role with the sovereign, at Saint-James Palace. The new king has solemnly sworn to consecrate “the rest of [sa] vie” to the accomplishment of the “difficult task” entrusted to him.
At 11 a.m., from the balcony of the palace, David Vines White, King-at-Arms of the Order of the Garter, then read the proclamation aloud before several cannon salutes rang out from Hyde Park and the Tower of London, reports The Guardian. “The crowd sang the national anthem, ‘God Save the King’, and troops in full uniform applauded the new king three times.”
The new king took the floor to evoke the marks of sympathy received by the royal family since the death of the queen. And promised to follow “the inspiring example” from his mother.
The proclamation was re-read at the Royal Exchange in the City of London at midday, surrounded by the pomp and pageantry of a grand procession at the “economic heart of the country”, “reflecting the unique relationship between the monarch and the City of London”, highlighted The Guardianthe crowd holding out their smartphones to keep track of the historic moment.
Across the UK, sixty-two cannons were fired to celebrate the new king whom crowds gathered at Tower Bridge wished “long life”. Other proclamations will take place in the coming days in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the British daily said.