Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the Accession Council at St. James' Palace, where he is formally proclaimed Britain's new monarch, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in London, Britain, September 10, 2022. /Reuters
King Charles III, 73, was officially proclaimed as Britain's new monarch on Saturday at a meeting of the Accession Council at St. James' Palace in London.
Charles automatically assumed the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday. But an Accession Council met on Saturday to proclaim him as king, with his son and heir William, wife Camilla and Britain's new prime minister, Liz Truss, among those to sign the proclamation.
In his declaration at the accession ceremony, Charles told the Accession Council of hundreds of senior political and religious advisers that he would strive to follow his mother's "inspiring example."
"My mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service. My mother's reign was unequaled in its duration, dedication and devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life," he said.
"I am deeply aware of this deep inheritance and of the grave duties and responsibilities which are now passed to me," he said at the ceremony televised for the first time in history.
"In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set."
The Accession Proclamation was then read out from the balcony of St. James' Palace, a royal residence, to a trumpet fanfare, followed by gun salutes. The proclamation will also be read publicly in other capital cities of the United Kingdom – Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast – and other locations.
In his first address to the nation and the Commonwealth on Friday night as the new monarch, King Charles III bestowed the title of Prince of Wales to his eldest son William, 40, a title he had held for over 50 years and is a title reserved exclusively for the heir apparent to the British throne.
A child sitting on the shoulders of an adult waves a Union Flag outside of Buckingham Palace in London, Britain, September 10, 2022. /CFP
In Britain, people started gathering outside royal palaces in the early hours of Saturday morning, with thousands flocking to Buckingham Palace to pay respects to the queen and Charles.
Britain has declared a period of mourning until the state funeral for Elizabeth, once described by her grandson Harry as "the nation's grandmother."
The date for that has not been announced but it is expected in a little over a week's time, and Charles announced on Saturday that it would be a public holiday.
Leaders from around the world are expected in London for the funeral, including U.S. President Joe Biden, who said on Friday he would attend.
Charles' coronation as king will take place at a later date – and the timing for that is not yet clear. There was a 16-month gap between Elizabeth becoming queen and her coronation in 1953.
Read more:
UK monarchy: What happens next?
(With input from agencies)