The new King Charles III. renewed his mother's promise of lifelong service to his people. The 73-year-old said on Friday in his first speech to the nation as the new monarch.
His mother once promised to devote "her whole life, be it short or long," to serving her subjects. She kept that promise and now he wants to renew it, Charles said.
Charles III: "Thank you for your love and devotion"
Charles III also addressed his late mother Queen Elizabeth II directly. "Dear Mom, as you embark on your final great journey to meet my dear late dad, I just want to say one thing: thank you," Charles said in the pre-recorded speech. "Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to all the nations you have so diligently served over the years."
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday at her Scottish country estate, Balmoral Castle, 73-year-old Charles became the British king. He knows that his mother's death causes great sadness in his country and around the world and he shares it, he said. "Affection, admiration and respect" have become the "trademark" of her reign. Any member of his family can testify that the Queen has combined this with "warmth, humor and an unerring ability to see the best in people," the monarch said.
Son William becomes Prince of Wales
His son and heir to the throne, William, was appointed by Charlies III. to the new Prince of Wales. It was a privilege to hold that title, Charles said. He is confident that William, 40, and his wife Kate, 40, will continue to inspire British society and lead national debates as the Prince and Princess of Wales. Previously, Charles himself had borne the title Prince of Wales. His wife Camilla - now "Queen Consort" - bore the title Duchess of Wales.
Charles found forgiving words for his younger son Harry (37) and his wife Meghan (41). "I also want to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build a life overseas," said the 73-year-old. Harry and Meghan had broken away from the inner circle of the royal family more than two years ago and now live with their children Archie (3) and Lilibet (1) in the US state of California. Harry had fallen out with his father Charles and his older brother William.
