In his first speech as King of England, King Charles III disclosed when his son, Prince William, will take the throne.
The new leader of the country stated in his speech that he intended to hold office for life, so William will only succeed him after his death. The monarch typically reigns for life, but there have been a few instances of abdications. Most recently, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in order to wed American heiress Wallis Simpson, who had been divorced twice.
“As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion,” Charles said in his speech, “I too now solemnly pledge myself to uphold the Constitutional principles at the core of our nation for the remainder of the time God grants me.”
After his mother, the Queen, passed away, it was a very difficult day for the royal who had returned from Balmoral earlier on Friday.
When Her Majesty passed away on Thursday, Charles and his sister Princess Anne were by her side. After the Queen had passed away, other family members such as Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Sophie Wessex, and Prince Harry arrived.
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” King Charles said in a statement honoring his mother. We deeply lament the loss of a beloved Mother and beloved Sovereign.
“I am confident that the nation, the Realms, the Commonwealth, and a great number of people all over the world will be devastated by her passing. My family and I will be supported and comforted during this difficult time by the respect and intense love that The Queen was held in by so many people.
Charles did not sign the document at the time out of respect for his mother, who had ruled for 70 years.
On Saturday, Charles will be formally crowned king during an Accession Council. The Accession Council meets within 24 hours of the death of a sovereign, typically at St. James’s Palace in London, even though the King has already assumed the title following the passing of his mother.
Given that Her Majesty’s passing was announced on Thursday night, the time has been extended in this instance.
