Both Charles and Queen Consort Camilla appeared to be in good spirits as they headed straight to work just three days after Her Majesty died at Balmoral.
The new King hosted a reception with the Royal High Commissioners and their spouses in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace, pictured smiling as he greeted dignitaries from around the world.
It included dignitaries from Antigua and Barbuda, whose Prime Minister Gaston Brown told the Earl and Countess of Wessex it was his country’s desire to “one day become a republic” during a royal tour in April.
During a meeting with Edward and Sophie, Mr Brown said that while his country wants to change its position, he acknowledged it is “not on the cards” at the moment. But he urged them to use their “diplomatic influence” to achieve “restorative justice” for the island of Antigua and Barbuda.
Charles met Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland in the 1844 Room before attending the reception at the royal residence this afternoon.
Invited to Buckingham Palace were Foreign Secretary James Cleverley and the Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda – whose republican prime minister is threatening a referendum on abandoning the Crown – as well as representatives for the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis. , Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tuvalu’s Honorary Consul and Deputy High Commissioner for Australia.
Later this afternoon, the King – who was formally announced yesterday at St James’s Palace – received the Dean of Windsor.
The crowd erupted into cheers as his motorcade left the palace gates. He could be seen waving to people lining the street as the motorcade made its way up the mall
King Charles III spoke to the Kingdom’s High Commissioners and their spouses in the Bow Room at Buckingham Palace earlier today
The newly appointed monarch was speaking with High Commissioners and their spouses from countries where he is head of state
King Charles’ wife and Queen consort Camilla were also in attendance at the Bow Room after being greeted by thousands of well-wishers on their way to Buckingham Palace
Charles smiled through the pain as he spoke to people in the Bow Room just three days after his mother’s death
Charles laughs during the reception at Buckingham Palace today, shortly after he was greeted with cheers by crowds on The Mall
The new King pictured greeting Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland at Buckingham Palace today
Earlier today, an emotional Charles was greeted by thousands of well-wishers as he arrived at his royal residence earlier today, where he met Commonwealth representatives – while his mother Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin began its historic final journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh. before heading to Westminster Abbey for her funeral.
Crowds along The Mall – including excited toddlers perched on the shoulders of parents trying to take pictures with their phones – cheered and waved at Britain’s new monarch as he was driven in state in a Rolls-Royce from Clarence House through the Palace Gates at around 1pm, accompanied by a motorcade of four cars and four police cars.
The King was followed shortly after his arrival at Buckingham Palace by his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, who was also cheered by mourners.
Next week, the king and queen will embark on a tour of the four nations of origin ahead of his late mother’s funeral at Westminster Abbey and burial at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, after she died at Balmoral on Thursday aged 96 years old.
In other developments today:
The Queen’s coffin made the historic six-hour journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh. Her Majesty will lie in state at the Palace of Holyroodhouse overnight and then for 24 hours at St Giles’ Cathedral tomorrow so well-wishers can pay their respects to the monarch. The coffin will then be flown to London ahead of a state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. Prince William has vowed to serve Wales with “humility” – after paying tribute to his “wonderful grandmother” in a heartbreaking statement yesterday. The Prince and Princess of Wales reunited with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, yesterday for a historic walk in Windsor. Church services were held across the UK today to remember Her Majesty on the first Sunday since her death. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby told his congregation that this was an “unexpectedly extraordinary Sunday” as he paid tribute to the late monarch. The Sussexes’ children Archie and Lilibet continued to be referred to as ‘Master’ and ‘Miss’ in the new line of succession. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to the late Queen in a tweet. Former Prime Minister David Cameron has described how he had to apologize to Her Majesty after revealing details of a private phone call. He also revealed that he is helping Charles prepare to become King by holding ‘practice’ audiences.
King Charles III waves to well-wishers as he arrives at Buckingham Palace this afternoon Members of the public gather to watch King Charles III arrive by car at Buckingham Palace today King Charles is taken to Buckingham Palace following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II Camilla, the Queen Consort, waves to people gathered outside Buckingham Palace from her car today Children sit on their parents’ shoulders as they watch the King arrive at Buckingham Palace today People queue to lay flowers for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace The Queen’s oak coffin was seen today leaving Balmoral Castle en route to Edinburgh in a black Mercedes Benz King Charles III waves to waiting members of the public as he arrives by car at Buckingham Palace King Charles at Buckingham Palace after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II The monarch was accompanied by a motorcade of four cars and four police cars Camilla, Queen Consort arrives by car at Buckingham Palace as she is greeted by well-wishers this afternoon
Liz Truss to join King on UK tour as they lead nation in mourning
Liz Truss will accompany the King as he visits the four corners of the UK to lead the nation in mourning. The Prime Minister will be at Her Majesty’s side as he attends services in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales next week ahead of his mother’s funeral. Although she is not required to be present, she believes it is important that she be present. Her official spokesman told reporters: “In terms of the Prime Minister’s participation, she will join the King as he leads the national mourning across the UK, attending the commemorations in Scotland on Monday evening, Northern Ireland on Tuesday and in Wales on Friday. .’ He said it would not be an official or constitutional role but had been agreed by Downing Street and the Palace. “It is not a requirement, but the Prime Minister believes it is important to be present at an important time of national mourning across the UK.” The spokesman also said the scale of planning the Queen’s funeral was “equivalent to the Olympics” – but would have to be done in just ten days. Charles has also been proclaimed King in cities across the Commonwealth. Speaking from the steps of Parliament in Wellington, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told the crowd that since the Queen’s death, New Zealand had entered a time of change. In Canberra, Governor-General David Harley, the monarch’s representative in Australia, proclaimed Charles with a 21-gun salute in Parliament. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there would be a national day of mourning for the Queen on September 22, with the day a public holiday. He also announced that he will attend Her Majesty’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19. As a mark of respect, national flags in Australia are flown 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. And in Ottawa, a 28-piece Canadian Armed Forces band played God Save the King during a 21-gun salute at a proclamation ceremony attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Although Canadians are somewhat indifferent to the monarchy, many had great affection for the Queen, whose silhouette marks their coins. He was head of state for 45% of Canada’s existence and visited the country 22 times as monarch. Charles will visit Edinburgh, Belfast and Wales in the coming days with Camilla and the Prime Minister, to hear condolences from politicians and respond to their words of support. The King will begin his visit to lawmakers in London’s Westminster Hall tomorrow, where both Houses of Parliament will offer their condolences to the new monarch and his wife – and the King will give his response. Later that day, Charles and Camilla will fly to Edinburgh, where the King will inspect the Guard of Honor at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, before attending the Keys ceremony in the forecourt. During the day, the king will join his other siblings – the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence – in walking behind the Queen’s coffin when it is carried from the Palace of Holyroodhouse in St. Giles’ Cathedral, where he will lie for 24 hours so the public can pay their respects. Camilla and other family members will travel by car and all members of the royal family will attend a ceremony to thank the Queen for her life. At the Palace, the King will hold an audience…
