Following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on 8th September 2022, King Charles III, formerly the Prince of Wales, acceded to the throne. In his first speech as King, he mentioned the responsibilities his mother assumed and stated: “Queen Elizabeth’s 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.” But what are various duties and responsibilities he must take on as the new King?
Ceremonies
Charles was officially proclaimed King on Saturday 10th September at the First Proclamation at St James’s Palace in London. This was in front of a ceremonial body known as the Accession Council where he was officially given the title of King Charles III. It was divided into two parts, with Charles only present during the second part. The Council consists of member of the Privy Council which include several senior MPs, past and present. Former Prime Ministers such as Boris Johnson, Theresa May, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and Sir John Major were all present. The proclamation itself included an order which King Charles approved to declare the Queen’s funeral as a bank holiday.
Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt said: “Drafts of two proclamations. One – appointing the day of Her late Majesty’s state funeral as a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“Two – appointing the day of Her late Majesty’s state funeral as a bank holiday in Scotland.
“And of two orders in council, directing the Lord Chancellor to affix the great seal to the proclamations.”
Charles answered: “Approved.”
It was signed by members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, and the Earl Marshall – the Duke of Norfolk, the man responsible for organising state ceremonies and was read out at St James’s Palace in addition to Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast and other places around the world.
Coronation
Many may be anticipating the coronation to occur at some point within the next few weeks however, it is tradition to wait for enough time to mourn before officially coronating a new monarch. The coronation of a new monarch has for 900 years been held in Westminster Abbey, with William the Conqueror being the first ever monarch to be crowned there. An official date for the symbolic event has not yet been announced however according to The Telegraph, the coronation will likely take place in “spring or summer of next year”.
