Formalities when Charles III became king
Charles III became King of the United Kingdom and of 14 other Commonwealth realms upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, on 8 September 2022. Royal succession in the realms occurs immediately upon the death of the reigning monarch. The formal proclamation in Britain occurred on 10 September 2022, at 10:00 BST, the same day on which the Accession Council gathered at St James's Palace in London. The other realms, including most Canadian provinces and all Australian states, issued their own proclamations at times relative to their time zones, following meetings of the relevant privy or executive councils. While the line of succession is identical in all the Commonwealth realms, the royal title as proclaimed is not the same in all of them.
United Kingdom.
The proclamation occurred on 10 September 2022 at 10:00am BST at St James's Palace in London. Even though all 700 members of the Privy Council were eligible to attend the Accession Council, only 200 were summoned due to limitations of space.
Out of the King's presence, the lord president of the Council had the clerk of the Council read the Accession Proclamation, which in addition to announcing the accession and pledging loyalty, formally introduced the King's new regnal name: Charles III. The proclamation was signed by Queen Camilla, the new queen consort; Prince William, the new Prince of Wales; Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury; Brandon Lewis, the lord chancellor; Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York; the Duke of Norfolk, the earl marshal; Penny Mordaunt, the lord president; and Liz Truss, the then-new prime minister. The lord president then read the orders of council on issues dealing with the public proclamations and gun salutes at Hyde Park and the Tower of London.
The Privy Council was then summoned to attend the King for the second part of the council, where he delivered a personal address regarding the Queen's death. He took an oath to preserve the independence of the Church of Scotland, which was reaffirmed by signing two documents as the Queen Consort and the Prince of Wales witnessed his signature. At the conclusion of the ceremony, privy counsellors signed the proclamation. A minor incident during the signing, in which the King showed visible frustration at there being too many items on his under-sized table, went viral online.
Charles III's Accession Council was the first to be televised and the first to be streamed online. At 11:00, 21-gun salutes at the Tower of London, Cardiff Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Castle Cornet in Guernsey, Gibraltar, and naval bases and stations at sea marked the accession of Charles III. After the proclamation ceremony, the King greeted crowds outside Buckingham Palace.
When the Parliament of the United Kingdom met, members swore allegiance to the new king and expressed condolences for the late Queen's death. Most parliamentary activities were suspended for 10 days. At 15:30, the king hosted the prime minister and the cabinet for an audience. On the same day, the proclamation of the accession was issued by the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Text of proclamation.
The following text, which was published as a supplement to "The London Gazette" of 12 September, was read by the clerk of the Accession Council, Richard Tilbrook:
Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious memory, by whose Decease the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George:
We, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm and Members of the House of Commons, together with other members of Her late Majesty's Privy Council and representatives of the Realms and Territories, Aldermen, and Citizens of London, and others, do now hereby with one voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of his other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and Obedience with humble Affection; beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do reign to bless His Majesty with long and happy Years to reign over us.
Given at St James's Palace this tenth day of September in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-two.
GOD SAVE THE KING
The proclamation was read by the Garter King of Arms, David White, at 11:00am from the Proclamation Gallery of Friary Court in St James's Palace, then by the Clarenceux King of Arms, Timothy Duke, at the Royal Exchange in the City of London. Flags flew at full-mast at 11:00am on Saturday as the proclamation was being read, before being returned to half-mast until the day of the Queen's funeral. Several services were held across the UK on the same day and the day after during which the proclamation was read by local officials.
As was the case in past proclamations, before the traditional three cheers the proclamation ceremony in the areas around the Tower of London had the following response by personnel of the Yeomen Warders following the proclamation being read by the Resident Governor of the Tower of London and Keeper of the Jewel House, in a preview of the cheers to the Sovereign being shouted from this point on in the traditional Ceremony of the Keys in the Tower:
Chief Warder: "God preserve King Charles III!"
Warders: "Amen!"
Wales.
The proclamation in Wales was held at the Cardiff Castle in Cardiff on 10 September with more than 2,000 people attending the ceremony. Guests included Members of the Senedd, Secretary of State for Wales Robert Buckland and other officials. The ceremony was officiated by First Minister Mark Drakeford who first had the Wales Herald Thomas Lloyd read the proclamation in English, and then had the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Morfudd Meredith read it in Welsh.
The proclamation in Welsh reads:
Northern Ireland.
The proclamation in Northern Ireland was held at the Hillsborough Castle in Royal Hillsborough on 11 September at 12:00 BST. It was read out by Robert Noel, Norroy and Ulster King of Arms. Attendees included Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris, Minister of State for Northern Ireland Steve Baker, Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson and Alliance party leader Naomi Long. While Sinn Féin stayed away and attended a rally in Belfast for victims of The Troubles instead, the party said it would attend other official events during the period of mourning.
Scotland.
The proclamation in Scotland was held at Mercat Cross, Edinburgh, on 11 September. The ceremony was attended by Scottish judges and politicians, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. It was read out by Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms. A few attendees protested against the monarchy and booed as Morrow spoke.
On 12 September, the proclamation was read out at in Stornoway, both in English and Scottish Gaelic.
The proclamation in Scottish Gaelic reads:
British Overseas Territories.
The Form of Proclamation for British Overseas Territories was set out in an Order in Council approved at the Accession Council.
Anguilla.
The proclamation in Anguilla was held at the Government House in Old Ta at 11:00 a.m. on 11 September and was read out by Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam.
Bermuda.
The proclamation in Bermuda took place in Front Street, Hamilton on 11 September and was read out by Governor of Bermuda, Rena Lalgie, in the presence of legislators and a crowd of Bermudians. The ceremony was accompanied by a march-past by the Royal Bermuda Regiment and a 21-gun salute over Hamilton Harbour to mark the closing of the proclamation shortly after 9 am local time.
Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Crown is solely and rightfully come to The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George:
I, Rena Lalgie, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Bermuda, do now hereby with one voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, is now by the death of our Late Sovereign of happy memory become our only lawful and rightful liege Lord Charles III, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of his other realms and territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, defender of the faith, to whom we do acknowledge all faith and obedience with humble affection, beseeching God, by whom kings and queens do reign, to bless His Majesty with long and happy years to reign over us.
Given at the City of Hamilton Bermuda this 11th day of September in the year of our Lord 2022.
British Antarctic Territory.
The proclamation in the British Antarctic Territory, the largest and most southerly of the British overseas territories, was read out by Commissioner Paul Candler via a video link from London on 12 September to Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula.
WHEREAS it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Crown is solely and rightfully come to The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George: I,
Paul Candler, His Majesty’s Commissioner for The British Antarctic Territory
do now hereby with one voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and Obedience with humble Affection; beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do reign to bless His Majesty with long and happy Years to reign over us.
GIVEN under my hand in London this 12th day of September in the year of Our Lord 2022.
GOD SAVE THE KING
British Indian Ocean Territory.
The proclamation in the British Indian Ocean Territory took place at the British Forces Headquarters in Diego Garcia on 11 September, and was read out by Major Matt Adams of Royal Marines on behalf of Commissioner Paul Candler.
Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Crown is solely and rightfully come to The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George: I, Major Matt Adams Royal Marines on behalf of His Majesty’s Commissioner for The British Indian Ocean Territory, Paul Candler, do now hereby with one voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and Obedience with humble Affection; beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do reign to bless His Majesty with long and happy Years to reign over us.
Given at British Forces Headquarters, British Indian Ocean Territory, Diego Garcia this 11th day of September in the year of Our Lord 2022.
British Virgin Islands.
The proclamation in the British Virgin Islands took place at the Government House in Road Town on 11 September and was read out by Governor John Rankin, in the presence of Premier Natalio Wheatley, Deputy Governor David Archer Jr., and members of the House of the Assembly. After the proclamation, those in attendance said "God Save the King", followed by a gun salute.
WHEREAS it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Crown is solely and rightfully come to The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George:
I, JOHN JAMES RANKIN CMG, Governor of the Virgin Islands do now hereby with one voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that The Prince Charles