King Charles III Officially Proclaimed Monarch by Accession Council
King Charles III was officially proclaimed king of the United Kingdom in a ceremony at St. James’s Palace in London, on Saturday, September 10.
The Accession Council made the announcement following the death of the king’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II in Balmoral on September 8. The queen’s death was formally declared at the event.
UK Commons Leader Penny Mordant, who chaired the event, said, “my lords, it is my sad duty to inform you that her most gracious majesty, Queen Elizabeth the second has passed away on Thursday the 8th of September 2022 at Balmoral Castle.”
The clerk of the council then proclaimed Charles III as the new monarch, saying: “We therefore, the lords spiritual and temporal of this realm, and members of the House of Commons together with other members of her late majesty’s privy council and representatives of the realms and territories, aldermen, citizens of London and others, do now hear-by, with one voice and consent of tongue and heart publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, is now by the death of our late sovereign of happy memory, become our only lawful and rightful liege Lord.”
In attendance were members of the Cabinet, former premiers Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, and Sir John Major, as well as other senior political figures.
The proclamation was signed first by the king’s son, William, Prince of Wales.
The ceremony then moved to the Throne Room at the palace where Charles made a declaration in front of members of the Privy Council.
It was the first time the accession ceremony was broadcast live. Credit: The Royal Family via Storyful
Video Transcript
PENNY MOURDANT: The business for part one of the council. My Lords, it is my sad duty to inform you that her most gracious Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, has passed away on Thursday, the 8th of September 2022 at Balmoral Castle. I propose that when certain necessary business has been transacted, a deputation consisting of Her Majesty, his Royal Highness, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of York, the Prime Minister, the Clerk of the Council, and myself, shall wait on the King and inform him the council is assembled. I now call on the Clerk of the Council to read aloud the text of the proclamation.
RICHARD TILBROOK: Whereas it has pleased almighty God to call to his mercy our late sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth II, of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George. We, therefore, the Lord's spiritual and temporal of this realm and members of the House of Commons, together with other members of her late Majesty's Privy Council and representatives of the realms and territories, aldermen, and citizens of London and others, do now hereby with one voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the death of our late sovereign of happy memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord, Charles III, by the grace of God the United Kingdom, of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland, and of his other realms and territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all faith and obedience with humble affection, beseeching God, by whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless His Majesty with long and happy years to reign over us. God save the King.
- God save the King.
PENNY MOURDANT: I now invite those on the platform to sign the proclamation.
Drafts of eight orders of council. One, ordering the proclamation to be printed and published in specialist supplements in the London, Edinburgh, and Belfast Gazettes. Two, directing the Lord Chancellor to affix the great seal to the proclamation proclaiming His Majesty, King Charles III.
Three, directing the Kings, heralds, and pursuivants of arms to attend at the Court of Saint James to proclaim His Majesty, King Charles III. Four, directing the Lord Mayor the court of aldermen and commons of London to attend at the Royal Exchange to proclaim His Majesty, King Charles III.
Five, directing His Majesty's Secretary of State for Defense to give directions for the firing of guns at Hyde Park as soon as His Majesty is proclaimed. Six, directing the Constable of His Majesty's tower of London to give directions for the firing of guns at the Tower of London as soon as His Majesty is proclaimed.
Seven, directing his Majesty's Secretary of State for Scotland to cause the proclamation four proclaiming His Majesty, King Charles III, to be published in Scotland. Eight, directing the clerk of the council to issue circular letters for causing His Majesty, King Charles III, to be proclaimed. I, hereby, approved. And that concludes the business for this part of the Council. I now invite the deputation party to accompany me to wait on the King in the council chamber.
