VIDEO: Charles officially announced as King at royal ceremony
King Charles III during the Accession Council at St James's Palace, London, on Saturday, where he is formally proclaimed monarch. AP
Britain's King Charles III confirmed, on Saturday, that he is well aware of the great legacy left by the late Queen Elizabeth II, stressing that he will bear "heavy responsibilities", in full respect of the constitutional government.
"My mother set an example of long-standing love and great sacrifice and her legacy will live on," Charles said during his investiture ceremony.
He added, in a speech he delivered in front of the country's most prominent political, social and religious figures: "Queen Elizabeth provided an unprecedented role model in government and the whole world sympathized with the loss we all suffered.
He continued, "I am well aware of the great legacy and the heavy tasks and responsibilities that have been transferred to me...
“As I take on these responsibilities, I look forward to following up on the inspiring example I have placed within the framework of respect for constitutional government and the search for peace and harmony. After this, Charles III signed a proclamation appointing him king to the throne of England.”
Earlier on Saturday, the Council on the Throne, made up of hundreds of politicians, bishops and senior government officials, from St James's Palace, declared Charles the new king.
Queen Elizabeth, 96, died on Thursday, after holding the throne for 70 years.
READ MORE
King Charles III starts reign as mourning begins for late queen
King Charles greets well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace
Scores of senior politicians past and present, including Prime Minister Liz Truss and five of her predecessors, gathered in the ornate state apartments at St. James’s Palace for the meeting of the Accession Council.
They met without Charles, officially confirming his title, King Charles III. The King joined them to make a personal declaration, vowing to follow his mother’s "inspiring example” as he took on the duties of monarch.
Britain's King Charles III is seen on a giant screen on day 2 of the BMW PGA Championship on Saturday. AFP
"I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of sovereignty which have now passed to me,” he said.
Speaking of his personal grief, he said: "I know how deeply you and the entire nation, and I think I may say the whole world, sympathize with me in this irreparable loss we have all suffered."
The new King formally approved a series of orders - including one declaring the day of his mother's funeral a public holiday. The date of the state funeral has not been announced, but it is expected to be around Sept 19.
Keir Starmer (left), Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Boris Johnson attend the ceremony in London on Saturday. AFP
This is the first time the accession ceremony has been held since 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II took the throne.
Charles was accompanied at the ceremony by his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, and his eldest son Prince William. William is now heir to the throne and known by the title Charles long held, Prince of Wales.
After the ceremony, an official will read the proclamation aloud from a balcony at St. James’s Palace. It will also be read out in the medieval City of London and at other locations across the UK
Two days after the 96-year-old queen died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland following an unprecedented 70 years on the throne, people still came in their thousands to pay their respects outside BucKingham Palace in London. The scene was repeated at other royal residences across the U.K. and at British embassies around the world.
Crowds gather outside St James's Palace, where King Charles III is formally proclaimed UK's new monarch.
The monarch set the tone for his reign on Friday, vowing in a televised address to carry on the queen's "lifelong service,” with his own modernising stamp.
Charles looked to both the past - noting his mother’s unwavering "dedication and devotion as sovereign” - and the future, seeKing to strike a reassuring note of constancy while signaling that his will be a 21st-century monarchy.
He reflected on how the country had changed dramatically during the queen’s reign into a society "of many cultures and many faiths,” and pledged to serve people in Britain and the 14 other countries where he is King "whatever may be your background or beliefs.”
He also tried to overcome a reputation for aloofness in his first hours as monarch, spending time shaKing hands with some of the thousands who came to leave flowers and pay tribute to the queen at the gates of BucKingham Palace. He was greeted with shouts of "Well done, Charlie!” and "God save the King!” One woman gave him a kiss on the cheek.
