The death of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, meant the automatic and immediate accession of her oldest son, King Charles III to the throne on Thursday, September 8, 2022.
In a pre-recorded speech on Friday, September 9, King Charles III addressed the nation for the first time as King. He expressed sadness at the death of his mother, the Queen, and sought to comfort her peoples by his words of acknowledgement, and to reassure them of the unbroken continuance of the British Monarchy by dedicating the rest of his life to public service.
“I pay tribute to my mother’s memory and I honour her life of service. I know that her death brings great sadness to many of you, and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure, with you all,” the King 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.
“And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.”
He added: “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.”
The King also made a significant announcement during his first address, naming his son William to be the Prince of Wales, the title he, the King, held before the Queen’s death on Thursday.
He continued: “With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.”
Concerning his younger son, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who stepped away from their royal roles in 2020, the King said: “I want to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.”
He ended the speech on a personal note, with another message to the late Queen.
“To my darling mama, as you begin your last great journey, I want simply to say this: Thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family, and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years.”
His Majesty the King was Proclaimed King at a meeting of the Accession Council on Saturday, September 9. The Principal Proclamation was read at St James’s Palace, London, within 24 hours after his mother’s death.
As is the convention, further Proclamations were read the following day throughout the United Kingdom and its Overseas Territories.
The King’s Proclamation Observed in Anguilla
In Anguilla, Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, read the Proclamation at a special ceremony at the grounds of the Governor’s Office at Old Ta. To mark the accession of His Majesty Charles III, the ceremony included a twenty-one-gun salute and three cheers for His Majesty the King.
The ceremony began when all Government Officials and other attendees arose to welcome Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam. Officers of the Royal Anguilla Police Force Marching Band played a trumpet fanfare as she made her way to the platform, escorted by Commissioner of Police, David Lynch.
As she took her place behind the podium, the Commissioner of Police, standing a few feet away, accorded her a brisk salute then vacated the stage.
Her Excellency then read the Proclamation of the new sovereign, King Charles, former Prince of Wales: “Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God to call to His mercy our late sovereign, Lady Queen Elizabeth II, a blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the crown is solely and rightfully come to the Prince, Charles Phillip Arthur George, I, Delieni Daniel-Silveratanum, Governor of Anguilla, do now hereby with one voice and consent of tongue and heart publish and proclaim that the Prince, Charles Phillip Arthur George, is now, by the death of our late sovereign of happy memories, become our only lawful and rightful liege, Lord Charles III.
“By the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all other realms and territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge our faith and obedience with humble affection, beseeching God by whom kings and queens are to reign, to bless His Majesty with long and happy years to reign over us. Given under my hand at Old Ta, Anguilla, on the eleventh day of September, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and twenty-two.”
The RAPF gave the Governor a salute. The new version of the National Anthem, “God Save the Gracious King” was sung by the national choir, followed by Anguilla’s National Song. Next, a twenty-one gun salute was delivered by officers of the RAPF. The Governor then exclaimed: “Three cheers for His Majesty the King!” She was joined by the attendees in three pronouncements of hip-hip-hurray.
The Police Commander then led his officers off the scene, saluting Her Excellency as they passed her. The ceremony ended as the Commissioner of Police returned to the platform to escort her Excellency back to her station, followed by Government officials and other dignitaries.
With the accession of King Charles III, his older son, Prince William, Duke of Wales, is now first in line to succeed the King. Prince William’s three children, his brother, Prince Harry, and his two children will follow in descending order.
