UPDATE: Prince Charles Is New British King

The longtime British heir apparent, who is 73, ascended to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the palace said Thursday. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

The queen, who lived to be 96, reigned for an astounding 70 years. Prince William, 40, and Prince George, 9, are now first and second in line to the throne.

Charles does not need a coronation ceremony in order to officially become king, as he gained the title immediately upon his mother’s death.

He will be known as King Charles III.

That was the first decision of the new king’s reign. He could have chosen from any of his four names – Charles Philip Arthur George.

He is not the only one who faces a change of title.

Although he is heir to the throne, Prince William will not automatically become Prince of Wales. However, he immediately inherits his father’s other title, Duke of Cornwall. His wife Catherine will be known as the Duchess of Cornwall.

There will also be a new title for Charles’ wife, whose full title will be Queen Consort – consort is the term used for the spouse of the monarch.

In the first 24 hours, after his mother’s death, Charles will be officially proclaimed King. This happens at St James’s Palace in London, in front of a ceremonial body known as the Accession Council.

This is made up of members of the Privy Council – a group of senior MPs, past and present, and peers – as well as some senior civil servants, Commonwealth high commissioners, and the Lord Mayor of London.

The King does not traditionally attend.

At the meeting, the death of Queen Elizabeth will be announced by the Lord President of the Privy Council (currently Penny Mordaunt MP), and a proclamation will be read aloud.

The wording of the proclamation can change, but it has traditionally been a series of prayers and pledges, commending the previous monarch and pledging support for the new one.

This proclamation is then signed by a number of senior figures including the prime minister, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Lord Chancellor.

Unlike royal weddings, the coronation is a state occasion – the government pays for it, and ultimately decides the guest list.

Shortly after news of his mother’s death broke, the new king, who will be known as King Charles III going forth, issued a statement.

“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,” Charles said.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles during the state opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in 2019. Charles has become the king of England following his mother’s death on Thursday.

“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother,” Charles’ statement continued. “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”

“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held,” he said.

– BBC