SYDNEY, Sept 11 (Reuters) – King Charles was officially named head of state of both Australia and New Zealand in ceremonies on Sunday in the nations’ capitals. In New Zealand, the proclamation of Charles as monarch, taking over from Queen Elizabeth who died on Thursday at the age of 96, took place in parliament in Wellington. Speaking from the floor of Parliament, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the event recognized the Queen’s son, “His Majesty King Charles III as our sovereign.” Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSign up Ardern told the crowd that after the Queen’s death, New Zealand had entered a time of change. “King Charles … has consistently shown his deep care for our nation,” she said. “This relationship is deeply valued by our people. I have no doubt that it will deepen.” In Australia, Governor-General David Harley, the British monarch’s representative in Australia, proclaimed King Charles as head of state in Parliament in Canberra. The proclamation was marked by a 21-gun salute. The British monarch is the head of state in Australia as well as New Zealand, among 14 kingdoms outside the United Kingdom, although the role is largely ceremonial. Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a day of mourning for the Queen would be held on September 22, with the day a public holiday. Albanese said he would travel to London on Thursday, attend the Queen’s funeral on September 19 and return to Australia on September 21. “Then the National Day of Mourning and the memorial service is set to be the next day,” he told ABC television. “This will allow people to pay their respects on the passing of Queen Elizabeth,” the prime minister said. Albanese said Australia had offered to fly 10 of his Pacific island counterparts and New Zealand officials to Britain for the Queen’s funeral. Asked how Australians would view the new monarch, Albanese said King Charles would have to “make his own way”. As a mark of respect, national flags in Australia are at half-mast, parliament has been suspended and a giant portrait of the Queen has been displayed on the drapes of the Sydney Opera House. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSign up Report by Sam McKeith. Edited by Cynthia Osterman Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
