London (Union)
Britain’s King Charles pledged yesterday to follow in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, and dedicate himself to serving his country in his serious and sober address to the nation, in which he also spoke of his love for his mother, wife and children.
Charles became king, yesterday, after the death of Queen Elizabeth at the age of 96, and yesterday returned to London from Scotland, to give his first speech after assuming the throne.
In the beginnings of his speech, he said: “Queen Elizabeth had a life that she truly lived, and a promise with fate that she rightly fulfilled, and on her passing we grieve with the deepest meanings.”
“This promise of lifelong service I renew before all of you today,” he added.
King Charles described the late Queen as an inspiration and role model, praising her personal and genuine commitment to serving the people of the United Kingdom and other regions.
King Charles also spoke of his great sadness at the loss of his mother, and said that what he felt was “indescribable”.
The new king also paid tribute to his “precious” wife Camilla, who became the king’s consort, William, his eldest son and heir to the throne, and William’s wife Kate, who gave them the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales.
“With Catherine at his side, the new Prince and Princess of Wales, as far as I know, will continue to inspire and guide our national dialogues,” Charles said in his first address to the nation.
Charles, who was crowned Prince of Wales in 1958, became king automatically after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, on Thursday.
King Charles also expressed his love for his youngest son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan.
“As the Queen herself has done, with such unwavering devotion, I also solemnly pledge now, for the remainder of my life God has ordained for me, to uphold the constitutional principles firmly established in our nation,” said the King.
“Wherever you live in the United Kingdom, or in dependent territories and territories around the world, and whatever your background or beliefs, I will endeavor to serve you with sincerity, respect and love, as I have done throughout my life.”
Buckingham Palace announced, yesterday, that Charles III will be officially proclaimed king, this morning, during a meeting of the succession council.
The Council shall meet at ten o’clock local time (9 GMT), at St James’s Palace, with the announcement to be read an hour later from the palace balcony, and then in all the counties of the United Kingdom the following day.
King Charles III enjoys a set of privileges specific to his position as King of Britain, the most prominent of which is that he is not required to possess a passport, nor a driver’s licence. The king can travel without holding official papers. Unlike other members of the royal family, he does not need a passport as this document is issued in his name.
The British king benefits from a special privilege in the matter of driving, as he is the only British citizen exempt from the obligation to possess a driving licence.
The king must adhere to serious political neutrality, as he cannot vote in any elections, and he cannot run for any of the benefits.
The King is responsible for opening parliamentary sessions, in addition to approving parliamentary legislation, and holding regular sessions with the Prime Minister.
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