UK: King Charles of the UK has been formally proclaimed King

    Victoria Jones/AP

King Charles III has been proclaimed the United Kingdom’s monarch in a pomp-filled ceremony steeped in ancient tradition and political symbolism – an event which has been for the first time, broadcast live online and on air.

The ceremony on Saturday was followed by gun salutes and the reading of proclamations in London and in the other capital cities of the UK – Edinburgh in Scotland, Belfast in Northern Ireland, and Cardiff in Wales.

Charles, who spent seven decades as heir apparent, automatically became king when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died on Thursday. But the accession ceremony was a key constitutional and ceremonial step in introducing the new monarch to the country, a relic of a time before mass communications.

The ceremony featured a platform party, made up of Queen Camilla, Prince William, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of York, Prime Minister Liz Truss, the Lord Privy Seal, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Earl Marshal and the Lord President, who signed the proclamation.

King Charles III was formally crowned when they convened without him and declared him to be so, promising to uphold his mother's "inspiring example" as he assumed the responsibilities of the monarch.

Charles III was officially confirmed as King. The king joined them and vowed to follow his mother's "inspiring example" as he assumed his royal duties.

In formally taking the throne, King Charles declared that he was "fully aware" of the "duties and great duty of monarchy."

He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his mother, who set an example of lifetime love and unselfish service before passing away on Thursday at the age of 96 in Balmoral.

I know that the love and allegiance of the peoples whose sovereign I have been asked to be will uphold me, he said.

He continued, "The support of my darling wife has tremendously encouraged me."

The Accession Council was divided into two sections and held in a great room at St. James's Palace that was decorated in red and gold. During the first portion, Charles remained absent while they crowned him king.

"Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the death of our lady sovereign of joyful remembrance, become our King Charles III... God save the king," the council clerk declared.

Then, the assembled council members prayed again, "God save the king."

Prince William, who is now known as the Prince of Wales, was one of the witnesses who signed the proclamation.

It will take "some time before the reality of life without Grannie will actually feel real," he stated in a statement issued later.

The queen, according to William, was "by my side during the saddest days of my life, and by my side at my happiest times."

"I will honour her memory by helping my father, The King, in whatever way I can," he declared in closing.

At 11 a.m., a trumpet fanfare and a declaration were made from a palace balcony to officially announce Charles' succession. Proclamations were made in various locations across the nation after the initial one, with the second taking place at the Royal Exchange in London at noon. At noon tomorrow, more proclamations will be made in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

The new king formally approved a series of decrees, including declaring the day of his mother's funeral a public holiday. The date of the funeral has not been announced.