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King Charles III makes address to the nation in first speech as monarch

He paid tribute to his late mother.

Daisy Jackson - 9th September 2022

King Charles III has made his first speech as monarch this evening, addressing the nation just one day after the death of his mother, HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty passed away at her Scottish residence Balmoral, aged 96, shortly after doctors expressed concerns for her health.

The former Prince of Wales arrived back at Buckingham Palace this afternoon, where he greeted the huge crowds who have assembled in London.

He was joined outside the royal residence during the afternoon by his wife Camilla, Queen consort.

This evening, a Service of Prayer and Reflection was held at St Paul’s Cathedral.

In it, King Charles thanked the public for their condolences, praised his late mother for her service and devotion, and pledged his own lifelong service.

He also spoke of other members of the Royal Family, confirming Prince William will take on the Scottish titles, as well as the title of Duke of Cornwall.

The King said: “With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations.”

Speaking of his younger son, he added: “I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan, as they continue to build their lives overseas.”

King Charles’ moving speech concluded with: “And 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.

“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.”

King Charles III’s speech to the nation in full

I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, HM the queen, my beloved mother, was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe to their mother, for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example. 

Queen Elizabeth’s was a life well lived, a promise that destiny kept, and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today. 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. 

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In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples. That was more than promise. It was a profound personal commitment, which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty. Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never wavered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss. 

In her life of service, we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless embrace of progress, which makes us great as nations. 

The affection, admiration, and respect she inspired, became the hallmark of her reign. 

And as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humour, and an unerring ability to see the best in people. 

I pay tribute to my mother’s memory, and I honour her life of service. I know that her death brings great sadness to so many of you, and I share that sense of loss beyond measure with you all. 

When the Queen came to the throne, Britain and the world was still coping with the aftermath of the Second World War, and still living by the conventions of earlier time. 

IN the course of the last 70 years, we have seen our society become one of many cultures, and many faiths, 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’m so inexpressively proud, have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained, and must remain, constant. 

The role and the duties of monarchy also remain, as does the Sovereign’s particular relationship and responsibility toward 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.

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 countries 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. 

My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others. 

This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife Camilla, in recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort. 

I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much. 

As my heir, William now assumes Scottish titles which have meant to much to me. He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall, and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall, which I have undertaken for more than five decades. Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I’ve been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty. 

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.
I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan, as they continue to build their lives overseas. 

In a little over a week’s time, we will come together as nation, as a Commonwealth, and indeed as a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. 

In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example. 

On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. 

They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express. 

And 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. 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. 

Featured image: BBC