Charles, ex-Prince of Wales, will be proclaimed King of the United Kingdom after the death of Elizabeth II.
The ceremony will take place on Saturday, 10:00 AM London time (12:00 AM Kyiv time) in the state apartments of St James’s Palace. However, the coronation won’t happen in the near future, as it takes months to prepare, The Guardian writes.
After the proclamation, an oath to preserve the Church of Scotland and the accession declaration to become the head of the Church of England, the new King, Charles III, will give his first address to the nation.
Charles will be officially proclaimed king on September 10. Photo: Getty Images
How will Charles be proclaimed King after Elizabeth’s death?
According to tradition, the Proclamation will be read by Garter King of Arms, David Vines White, at 11:00 AM (1:00 PM Kyiv time) accompanied by the Earl Marshal, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk.
Succession to the throne in Great Britain
The proclamation will be read from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’s Palace.
Further proclamations will be read in London, at the Royal Exchange, at Saturday noon (2:00 PM Kyiv time), and also in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales at midday on Sunday (2:00 PM Kyiv time).
"The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family… I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held," said Charles in his address on the death of his mother.
Charles, after being proclaimed king, will prepare for his mother's burial. Photo: Getty Images
In recognition of the new Sovereign, flags will be flown at full-mast from the time of the principal proclamation at St James’s Palace until one hour after the proclamations in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, after which flags will return to half-mast in mourning for the death of the Queen.
A carriage at the entrance to the city and a golden goblet to Charles’ health
Charles becomes king at the age of 73. Photo: Getty Images
The official coronation of Charles as a festive and spectacular event will nevertheless be held not earlier than in a few months, The Guardian also reports.
Meanwhile, the ceremony of the accession of King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will also have its symbolism: thus, a carriage procession will be formed at St James’s Palace with a captain’s escort of household cavalry.
Family tree of the Windsors
The procession will drive through the streets of London to the statue of Charles I, which once was regarded as the center of the capital, Chancery Lane, and the Royal Exchange. The lord mayor and his officers will wait at the entrance to the City.
According to the ancient ceremony, as the earl marshal’s cavalcade approaches, the City marshal rides forward and challenges with the words: "Who comes there?" The pursuivant then replies with words similar to:
Elizabeth II reigned the longest of all British monarchs. Photo: Getty Images
Traditionally, the cavalcade is then admitted to the city, with the lord mayor raising his tricorn hat to call for "three cheers for the king" as gun salutes are fired from Hyde Park and the Tower of London. In addition, as the proclamation is read in York, the mayor drinks to the new sovereign’s health from a golden goblet.
However, Charles’s coronation as King of the U.K. will require detailed planning: thus, the coronation of Elizabeth II took place 16 months after her accession.
Charles and Camilla are preparing for the funeral of Elizabeth II on September 19. Photo: Getty Images
Therefore after the declaration of accession Charles and his wife Kamilla will continue to prepare for the funeral ceremony. Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8 aged 96, will be buried on September 19.
