Show only key events Please enable JavaScript to use this feature Peter Walker King Charles paid tribute to his mother at a ceremony in Parliament where the new monarch heard official condolences from the Speakers of the Commons and Lords, stressing the intertwined nature of rights and government in the UK constitution. In an often personal speech at Westminster Hall, the towering 11th-century building at the heart of the parliamentary estate, Charles thanked the speakers for their speeches and paid tribute to “the late sovereign, my beloved mother, the Queen”. Quoting Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, Charles said the Queen was “a pattern to all princes that lived”, noting how moved he was to see the various memorials in parliament for her jubilees, including a stained glass window in the Westminster Hall commemorating of her diamond jubilee in 2012. Charles, accompanied by Camilla, the Queen consort, told the assembled MPs and colleagues that he was “determined to follow faithfully” his mother’s example. Read the full story here. The English Football League schedule is set to resume with matches returning as scheduled from tomorrow. A minute’s silence will be observed at all matches before the funeral and players will wear black armbands, the EFL announced. Flags will fly at half-mast and the national anthem will be played on the pitches. King Charles III attends the presentation of the Speeches of both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall. Photo: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty ImagesKing Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, at Westminster Hall. Photo: WPA/Getty Images King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort walk down the aisle at Westminster Hall. Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesPeter Walker I love the fact that the first person to speak to Charles at the Westminster Hall event was John McFall, the Speaker of the Lords, who left school at 15, the son of a schoolmaster, and went to university at 20, became a teacher and then an MP. — Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) September 12, 2022
King Charles addresses Parliament for the first time
King Charles III addresses MPs in Westminster Hall, where he says he is “deeply grateful” for the condolence speeches from the Speakers of the Lords and Commons. The late queen was “a model for all princes who lived,” he says, quoting Shakespeare. Britain’s King Charles III, flanked by Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort. Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images The King says: As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of the history that surrounds us and that reminds us of the vital parliamentary traditions to which you members of both houses dedicate yourself with such personal commitment to the betterment of us all. Parliament is “the living and breathing organ of our democracy” and a reminder “of the medieval predecessors of the office to which I have been called”. He adds: My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, we gather today to commemorate the Queen’s remarkable time of dedicated service to her nations and peoples. Her late Majesty “was committed to serving her country and her people and upholding the precious principles of constitutional government that lie at the heart of our nation,” he says. It sets an example of unselfish duty which, with God’s help and your counsel, I am resolved to follow faithfully. Updated at 10.49 BST Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is next, offering his “sincere” condolences to the King and his family. He says: As deep as our grief is, we know yours is deeper. We offer our deepest condolences to you and the entire royal family. MPs spoke of her “sense of duty, her wisdom, her kindness, her humour, how she touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of her constituents on her visits to every part of this country”, he says. He adds: Queen Elizabeth’s wisdom and grace demonstrated a role in seeing the value of a constitutional monarchy in safeguarding the liberties of our citizens and the fundamental unity of this kingdom and the Commonwealth. Sir Lindsay says King Charles has taken on “heavy” new responsibilities and is committed to “supporting the old constitutional principles at the heart of our nation”. Updated at 10.40am BST The Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord McFaul of Alcluith, then pledges his allegiance to the King and says he is “proud and humbled” to welcome him to parliament. Updated at 10.32 BST The address to King Charles begins with Lord McFaul of Alcluith, speaking on behalf of the House of Lords, paying tribute to the late queen’s “humility and integrity”. Lord Speaker Lord McFaul of Alkluyt (L) and Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle (L) Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images He says: The cheerful uninterrupted and reassuring presence of our late Majesty throughout the years made it difficult to consider this type of long and inspiring reign of deep and unparalleled devotion as ever ending. He said we all “feel a sense of loss beyond measure” and will remember “her commitment, her kindness, her humor, her courage and her fortitude, as well as her deep faith, which was her anchor of her life”. Updated at 10.47 BST The King arrived at Westminster Hall with the Queen Consort, where he will receive condolences from members of the Commons and Lords on the death of his mother, the Queen. King Charles’ arrival marks his first visit as a monarch to parliament. King Charles and Queen Camilla leave Clarence House. Photo: Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters Updated at 10.24 BST The Lords-at-arms, the King’s Bodyguard, attend the presentation of the Speeches by both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall. Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty ImagesThe King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard ahead of the arrival of King Charles III and the Queen Consort at Westminster Hall. Photo: Joe Giddens/PAPippa Crerar
King Charles will deliver an address in Westminster Hall
The King is expected to arrive at Westminster Hall soon to receive a speech from members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Prime Minister Liz Truss, Labor leader Keir Starmer and Scottish National Party (SNP) House of Commons leader Ian Blackford in the Westminster Chamber. Photo: John Sibley/Reuters Prime Minister Liz Truss and Opposition Leader Keir Starmer are among those gathered in Westminster Hall with other senior Commons officials on one side of the throne placed at the top of the hall. To mark the commencement of the ceremony, the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry took their places on the south window balcony of the hall. The King’s Yeomen of the Guard and the Honorable Corps of Gentleman at Arms were then brought into Westminster Hall from the north door to take their place. Updated at 10.12 BST The Yeomen of the Guard arrive at the Palace of Westminster, ahead of the presentation of speeches from both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall. Photo: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister Liz Truss at Westminster Hall. Photo: Henry Nicholls/Reuters Labor leader Keir Starmer in the Westminster chamber. Photo: John Sibley/Reuters
