King Charles III, in his first speech to the nation as the United Kingdom’s new sovereign, paid tribute to his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and vowed to uphold the traditions and values of the United Kingdom, its relationship with the Church of England, and the country’s constitutional principles.
Speaking in a pre-recorded message that was broadcast to the nation at 6pm UK time (noon Cayman time), Charles said, “As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.
“And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.”
His message was an echo of his late mother’s address to the Commonwealth, which she made in 1947 at the age of 21, when she was still Princess Elizabeth. In that speech, she said, “My whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.”
That service, as Queen, lasted more than 70 years.
Honouring his mother’s legacy, King Charles said, “Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept, and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”
“Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”
His Majesty The King addresses the Nation and the Commonwealth. pic.twitter.com/xQXVW5PPQ2
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 9, 2022
He added, “Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where the Queen was head of state, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than 70 years in which my mother, as Queen, served the people of so many nations.”
The King noted that when Queen Elizabeth II acceded the throne in 1952, Britain was still recovering from World War II.
“In the course of the last 70 years, we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths,” he said. “The institutions of the State have changed in turn. But, through all changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of realms – of whose talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud – have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained, and must remain, constant.”
He added, “The role and the duties of monarchy also remain, as does the sovereign’s particular relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England – the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted. In that faith, and the values it inspires, I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government.”
The King and The Queen Consort have arrived at Buckingham Palace.
Upon arrival, Their Majesties received a warm reception from members of the public who were paying their respects. pic.twitter.com/1kw62rljUI
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 9, 2022
He spoke of his own immediate family, saying he counted on the “loving help of my darling wife, Camilla”, who is now Queen Consort, and that he knows she “will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much”.
He announced that his son and heir, William, will become take over his own previous titles of Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cornwall. “With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.”
His younger son, Harry, who has a strained relationship with the family since he relinquished royal duties following his marriage to Meghan Markle and announced the planned publication of a book on the Royal Family, was not forgotten in Charles’s address. He said, “I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.”
The new King ended his address with a heartfelt message to his mother, who passed away on Thursday, 8 Sept., and his father, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on 9 April last year.
“To my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you,” he said.
“Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May ‘flights of angels sing thee to thy rest’.”
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