The new King received a warm welcome as he took time to address the public on Friday afternoon as he slowly made his way to the front gates of the palace.
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He got out of his Bentley and walked through the crowd of thousands, stopping to shake hands and talk to people who had spent the morning waiting for his arrival.
Janny Assiminios, believed to be a Greek Cypriot who was in London on holiday, was so overcome with emotion that she reached out and grabbed the King’s face before pulling him in for a kiss on the cheek.
While the act could be considered a breach of royal protocol, Charles was polite at the time and appeared to be pleased with her.
Moments later, a second woman kissed his outstretched hand as she passed.
Ms. Asiminios later told CNN that she asked the king’s permission before giving him a kiss on the cheek.
“To see him in front of me, I couldn’t believe it,” she said with a smile after the kiss.
I said, “can I kiss you?”, and he said, “well, yes,” so I grabbed him… I’m very happy, very happy, that I got to see him, and he kissed him.’
The King became more emotional as the crowd cheered “God Save The King”.
A woman kissed the outstretched hand of King Charles as he walked through the crowds
Giannis Asiminios, believed to be a Greek Cypriot who was in London on holiday, was so overcome with emotion that he reached out and grabbed his face before pulling him in for a kiss on the cheek.
Ms Asiminios later clarified that she had sought the king’s permission before planting a kiss on his cheek
Ms. Asiminios was thrilled to meet the King and have such a close interaction with him
King Charles III and the Queen view the tributes outside Buckingham Palace
Thousands of well-wishers and mourners gathered outside Buckingham Palace to pay their respects to the late Queen and catch a glimpse of the new king
In emotional scenes, an impromptu rendition of the National Anthem broke out as the Royal Standard was raised over Buckingham Palace for the first time in his reign.
He made an effort to address as many people in the crowd as possible and accepted a single rose from one of the many well-wishers who brought flowers for the occasion.
In all, he spent 12 minutes with the public outside the palace gates.
Filmmaker Raynald Leconde, 47, who is originally from New York, said he was lucky enough to speak to the King and Queen consort outside Buckingham Palace.
“It was quite a moment,” he said. I said, my condolences. He said, “really, really thank you very much.” And I wished his wife good luck and she said, “thank you very much”. I think he said, “I’ll need it.”
Charles was welcomed by well-wishers who lined the streets to meet him
King Charles III sees floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II
Among the crowds, pensioner Ammar Al-Baldawi, 64, from Hertfordshire, said: “It was impressive, emotional, a good move to go out into the crowds.
“I think that’s where the royal family needs to communicate with the world now. These are true believers here and it’s nice to see him back in his place, taking responsibility for the family and the Crown, which is reassuring.”
Queen consort Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace with Charles, but kept her distance as she greeted the public and accepted their well wishes.
She returned to his side to appreciate the bouquets of flowers and handwritten notes left at the palace gates.
Police had moved the crowds behind the main entrance to Buckingham Palace at around 1.30pm. in anticipation of the King’s visit, with police creating a 30m path between the crowds and the bouquets of flowers.
Charles and his wife Camilla landed at RAF Northolt shortly after 1.30pm. after their departure from Balmoral, where they had staid a night after fighting to be at the late Queen’s bedside.
The king will meet Prime Minister Liz Truss this afternoon, before giving a televised address to the nation at 6pm.
King Charles received a warm welcome from the public on his arrival at Buckingham Palace on Friday
King Charles III greets well-wishers during a tour of Buckingham Palace
Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace with Charles but kept her distance as she greeted the public and took their well wishes
Members of the royal family had made an urgent effort to meet the frail monarch as her health deteriorated yesterday.
The company announced its “peaceful” death at 6.30 p.m. at Balmoral, which is said to be one of her favorite residences. She and her late husband Prince Philip often summered there.
Prince William – now using the title Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge – left Balmoral just before 1pm and is returning to Windsor to be with his family ahead of the Accession Council, Kensington Palace said.
Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, still remain at the estate.
“During this time 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,” Charles said in a statement on the evening of Thursday.
Charles was at his mother’s side for much of the day after catching the royal helicopter from Dumfries House in Ayrshire with his wife Camilla.
Charles took a moment of solitude to consider the floral tributes left for his beloved mother at Buckingham Palace
The new king and queen consort headed to Buckingham Palace after leaving Balmoral
His younger sister Princess Anne was already at Balmoral after her royal duties also took her to Scotland.
They were joined by other senior members of the royal family, including Her Majesty’s two other children, Andrew and Edward, and Prince William.
The family rushed to the Queen’s residence in Scotland after an unprecedented statement from her doctors revealed they were “concerned” about her health and were keeping her under medical observation.
Charles becomes monarch at the age of 73, almost half a decade older than the Queen was when she assumed the same position.
He is likely to embark on a radical overhaul of the monarchy in the wake of his mother’s death, having often spoken of a weakened frontline.
Do you know the woman who kissed King Charles’ hand? Email [email protected]
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla embrace each other as they look at the floral tributes
Thousands came to greet the new King and he tried to shake as many hands as possible
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace in a Bentley on Friday afternoon
Excited crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the King, who seemed equally moved by the engagement
