The King has given a moving tribute to his “darling Mama” the Queen in his first public broadcast as monarch, as he promised to continue her “lifelong service” to the country.
Ending his address, the new monarch said: “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 for 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’.”
The King pledged his whole life as service as the new sovereign just as the Queen did, saying: “That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today”.
He also used his speech to announce that he had bestowed his son William the title of Prince of Wales, with Kate becoming Princess of Wales.
And he paid tribute to his “darling wife” Camilla – calling her “my Queen Consort”, saying he can “count on her loving help”.
The King also set out his changing role, as he steps away from his considerable charity work which shaped his life as the heir to the throne.
“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. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others,” he said.
The monarch pre-recorded the lengthy speech, which was just under 1,000 words and lasted around nine-and-a-half minutes in the Blue Drawing Room of the royal residence in central London, and it was played out at 6pm on Friday.
Charles said of his “beloved mother” the late Elizabeth II: “We owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example”.