King Charles III Addresses Harry, Meghan in 1st Speech as Monarch

Addressing the nation. King Charles IIIHe gave his inaugural speech The new monarchAfter the death of his mother the U.K. and Commonwealth territories were established. Queen Elizabeth II.

“I … solemnly pledge myself throughout the remaining time God grants me to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation. And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom or in the realms and territories across the world and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect, and love as I have throughout my life,” Charles, 73 — who assumed the throne on Thursday, September 8 — stated in London on Friday, September 9.

“My life will, of course, change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply,” he continued. “But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.”

In the address, the king specifically mentioned his immediate family members, including sons. Prince HarryHe and his wife. Meghan Markle, with whom they have been estranged ever since the Sussexes took their royal duties in 2019.

“I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan, as they continue to build their lives overseas,” Charles noted, while officially bestowing royal titles upon his “darling” wife, Camilla, and the eldest son. Prince WilliamHe was with his wife, Kate. He declared Camilla as Queen Consort, per Her Majesty’s wishes, and announced William and Kate as Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, respectively. William also inherited Charles’ Prince of Wales title, while Kate will now be known as the Princess of Wales, earning the title of William’s late mother Princess Diana.

Charles returned from his late mother’s Balmoral estate in Scotland earlier that morning, where the queen died on Thursday after a historic 70-year reign. She was 96.

Charles, upon his return to England, viewed tributes outside Buckingham Palace and executed his first order of kingship.


King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, look at floral tributes left outside Buckingham Palace following Thursday’s death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Yui Mok/AP/Shutterstock

“Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, it is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral,” the palace said in a statement on Friday. “Royal Mourning will be observed by Members of the Royal Family, Royal Household staff and Representatives of the Royal Household on official duties, together with troops committed to Ceremonial Duties.”

The seven-day period decreed by Charles is an extension of the country’s 12-day mourning period. A date for Elizabeth’s funeral has yet to be announced, as has a date for Charles’ coronation.

Charles, the eldest child of Elizabeth and the late Prince Philip, first broke his silence on his mother’s passing hours after her death on Thursday.

Queen Elizabeth II's Complete Funeral Timeline 06
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“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,” the sovereign said in a statement. “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”

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

Elizabeth “died peacefully” at her Balmoral estate in Scotland on Thursday, per a statement released by Buckingham Palace, which noted at the time, “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

Exclusively confirmed by a source Us Weekly that Charles’ sons arrived in Scotland after the queen had already passed. Her Majesty’s sons Prince Andrew Prince Edward, along with Edward’s wife, Sophie, Countess from WessexSadly, they did not make it to Balmoral in enough time to say their final farewells.