- On Friday, Buckingham Palace began a period of Royal Mourning.
- King Charles delivered his first speech as reigning monarch with a message for his “darling mama.”
- James Corden, Elton John and world leaders continued to mourn and pay tribute to the queen.
King Charles III, on the first full day of his reign following the death of Queen Elizabeth II Thursday, addressed the nation in a nearly 9-minute long pre-recorded message.
The new king paid respects to his mother, his queen — and the era in which she ruled — and commented on how his life will change going forward while promising to serve his people.
In a significant change for the royal family, the king also made Prince William and Duchess Kate Prince and Princess of Wales. He also expressed his love for Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, who stepped away from royal duties and left the U.K. in early 2020, citing what they said were the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media.
Here’s the latest from the king’s address and everything that happened Friday following Queen Elizabeth’s death.
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Funeral plans:What happens now that Queen Elizabeth II has died?
William and Kate assume new titles as Prince and Princess of Wales
During King Charles’ first speech, he commented on how his life would change and how the lives of his family members would also shift — noting his wife’s transition to Queen Consort and Prince William’s assumption of several titles once held by the now-king, including William’s new role as Duke of Cornwall.
As expected, King Charles also dubbed William Prince of Wales another title he inherits from his father.
With that, the former Kate Middleton became the Princess of Wales, the first to hold that title since the death of William’s mother, Princess Diana, in 1997. In fact, she is one of only three princesses to be known as Princess of Wales since 1901.
“Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru (Prince of Wales in Welsh), the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty,” the king said in the pre-recorded speech. “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 center ground where vital help can be given.”
King Charles III pays respects to his ‘darling mama’
In his address, King Charles III also expressed “profound sorrow” in the wake of Queen Elizabeth’s death.
“My beloved mother was an inspiration, an example to me and to all my family,” he said. “And we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe to their mother for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.”
He continued, noting her pledge at the age of 21 to devote her life to her people and called it “a profound personal commitment, which defined her whole life.”
The new king promised to endeavor to serve with “loyalty, respect, and love.”
“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,” he said.
Read the full transcript:King Charles makes first national address following queen’s death
“In a little over a week’s time, we will come together as a nation, as a commonwealth and indeed a global community to lay my beloved mother to rest,” he said. “In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example.”
King Charles then gave thanks for condolences and support and shared one more message, addressing his mother directly.
“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, 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.”
Joe Biden says he plans to attend the queen’s funeral
President Joe Biden said Friday he will attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
“I don’t know what the details are yet, but I’ll be going,” Biden told reporters traveling with him in Ohio.
In a statement issued shortly after her death, Biden and first lady Jill Biden praised the queen for leading with “grace, an unwavering commitment to duty and the incomparable power of her example.”
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch,” the Bidens said. “She defined an era.”
Biden has known the queen for three decades and has met her three times, most recently in June 2021.
The date and details of the queen’s funeral have not been set but will be released “in due course,” according to Buckingham Palace. While the official date hasn’t been set, it is expected to take place within the next 10 days at Westminster Abbey in central London. The queen will then be laid to rest in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle alongside her mother, father and husband Prince Philip.
More:President Joe Biden to attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
Royal residences close, ‘The Crown’ suspends filming
Throughout the period of mourning and until after the queen’s funeral, royal residences, including The Queen’s Gallery, the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and the queen’s private estates, will be closed, the palace announced Friday.
Other planned events and happenings are also being postponed or cancelled in respect to the queen. London Fashion Week, which is scheduled to run from Sept. 16 to Sept. 20, will likely be impacted. Burberry already canceled its show planned for Sept. 17, the company confirmed.
Filming of “The Crown” was suspended Friday and will be suspended on the day of the queen’s funeral, Netflix said in a statement. The series, which dramatizes Queen Elizabeth’s long reign, is in the middle of production for Season 5, in which actress Imelda Staunton takes on the role. Olivia Colman and Claire Foy played a younger queen in earlier seasons.
Queen Q&A:King Charles III succeeds Queen Elizabeth. What to know about British royal line.
King Charles III returns to London from Scotland
Friday afternoon, King Charles III arrived at Buckingham Palace for the first time as Britain’s monarch.
The king flew to London from Scotland and was driven to the royal residence in an official Rolls-Royce. A large crowd cheered as the car arrived at the palace gates.
He got out of the car to greet well-wishers and look at some of the huge pile of floral tributes left to honor his mother Queen Elizabeth II. Some called “Thank you Charles” and “Well done, Charlie!” as he shook hands with the crowd. Several shouted “God save the king!”
Camilla’s new title, explained:What’s the difference between queen and ‘Queen Consort’?
King Charles III to deliver speech Friday, give public oath Saturday
On his first full day of duties Friday, King Charles III will meet newly appointed Prime Minister Liz Truss and deliver his first speech as king to a nation at a time when many Britons are preoccupied with an energy crisis, the soaring cost of living, the war in Ukraine and the fallout from Brexit. The king’s prerecorded address to the nation will air at 1 p.m. EST, which is 6 p.m. local time.
King Charles will be proclaimed by the Ascension council Saturday and will make his public oath to the church and to “facilitate continuity of government.”
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Guns salute, bells toll in remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II
On Friday, Buckingham Palace began a period of Royal Mourning which will last seven days after her funeral, per the wishes of King Charles.
While preparations for the queen’s services take place, flags at royal residences will fly at half-staff and Britain’s longest-reigning monarch will rest in state among family and friends in Scotland before the queen’s coffin will be transferred to the throne room at Buckingham Palace.
As the 10-day mourning period began Friday, bells tolled around Britain ahead of the 96 gun salute which will take place Friday afternoon in London – a gun for each year of the queen’s long life.
People around the globe, including President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, gathered at British embassies to pay homage to the queen.
Hundreds of people arrived through the night to leave flowers outside the gates of Buckingham Palace, the monarch’s London home which will be closed until she is laid to rest.
“She was like a mother to us all, someone who was always there, always constant. We all grew up with her,” said one woman waiting in line to get coffee on Friday morning in central London.
The U.K. has become accustomed to seeing the queen’s portrait, profile and coat of arms embossed on everything including stamps, money, passports and ketchup bottles. Over time, all these seals, known as royal warrants, will pass to King Charles III. Already, last night as mourners shed tears and laid flowers outside Buckingham Palace a few small pockets of well-wishers could be heard singing “God Save the King,” a change from “God Save the Queen,” the U.K.’s national anthem since 1952.
UK changes:With Queen Elizabeth II’s death, what happens to the national anthem, money and more
The world reacts:King Charles III expresses ‘greatest sadness’ over mother Queen Elizabeth II’s death
Monarchy fans camp outside to remember the queen
Not everyone in the U.K. is a full-throated royalist but the queen was exceptionally well-loved and respected by the British public with some like John Loughrey preparing to spend almost two weeks camped outside Westminster Abbey to show his appreciation for all things royal following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Loughrey, 67, has participated – from the sidelines – in royal weddings, birthdays, commemorations, funerals and more for years. From Saturday, he’ll set up a tent across the street from Westminster Abbey so he can closely follow along as members of the royal family, British officials, European royals, world leaders and other key figures from public life descend on London for the queen’s funeral.
“She was a very special person. She always went out of her way,” he said. “I am really going to miss her Christmas speeches.”
Obituary:Queen Elizabeth II dies at 96; King Charles III takes the throne
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James Corden, Elton John pay tribute to Queen
Celebrities from Sir Elton John to world leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mourned the queen, who died Thursday at Balmoral Castle.
During John’s final show in Toronto Thursday, the 75-year-old musician remembered Queen Elizabeth for her “grace and decency and genuine caring.”
He added: “I’m 75 and she’s been with me all my life and I feel very sad that she won’t be with me anymore, but I’m glad she’s at peace,”
The singer-songwriter then performed his 1974 track “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.”
Corden, the host of TV’s “Late Late Show” said in a special message that while he is sad, he is also “so thankful and grateful to the queen for the most incredible service and leadership that she has shown during all of our lifetimes.”
He said, “we viewed her as immortal and an essential part of the fabric of our world. … She represented good in this world, living a life of honor and service, dedicated to bettering the lives of others.”
More:Elton John remembers Queen Elizabeth II during his last Toronto concert: ‘I feel very sad’
Contributing: Morgan Hines, Kim Hjelmgaard, Maria Puente, Laura Trujillo, Elise Brisco, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
