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Peter Walker
King Charles has paid tribute to his mother at a ceremony in parliament where the new monarch heard formal condolences from the Speakers of the Commons and Lords, emphasizing the intertwined nature of royalty and government in the Kingdom’s constitution united
In an often personal speech at Westminster Hall, the towering 11th-century structure at the heart of the parliamentary estate, Charles thanked speakers for his addresses and paid tribute to “the late sovereign, my beloved mother, the Queen”.
Quoting from Shakespeare’s Henry VIII, Charles said the Queen had been “a patron to all princes living”, and noted how she had been moved to see the various memorials in parliament to her jubilees, including a stained glass window in Westminster Hall commemorating its Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Charles, accompanied by Camilla, the Queen consort, told the assembled MPs and peers that he was “resolved to faithfully follow” his mother’s example.
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The English Football League schedule will restart with matches returning as planned from tomorrow.
A minute’s silence will be observed at all matches before the funeral and players will wear black armbands, the EFL said.
Flags will fly at half-mast and the national anthem will be played in stadiums.
King Charles III attends the presentation of speeches by both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty ImagesKing Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Hall. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla walk down the corridor at Westminster Hall. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesPeter Walker
I like the fact that the first person to address Charles at the Westminster Hall event was John McFall, the Lords Speaker, who left school at 15, the son of a school janitor , and went to college at 20, became a teacher, and then. a deputy
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) September 12, 2022
King Charles addresses parliament for the first time
King Charles III addresses MPs in Westminster Hall, where he says he is “deeply grateful” for the condolence addresses from the Speakers of the Lords and Commons.
The late queen was “a pattern to all princes living,” he says, quoting Shakespeare.
King Charles III of Great Britain, flanked by Queen Consort of Great Britain Camilla. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
The King says:
As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of the history that surrounds us, and that reminds us of the vital parliamentary traditions to which you as members of both Houses are devoted with such a personal commitment to the betterment of all We.
Parliament is “the living and breathing instrument of our democracy” and a reminder of the “medieval predecessors of the office to which I have been called”.
He adds:
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, we gather today to commemorate the remarkable length of the Queen’s dedicated service to her nations and peoples.
Her late Majesty “was committed to serving her country and her people and upholding the valuable principles of constitutional government that are at the heart of our nation,” it says.
She sets an example of selfless duty which, with God’s help and your counsel, I am determined to follow faithfully.
Updated at 10.49am BST
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is next, speaking on behalf of the House to extend his “wholehearted” sympathy to the King and his family.
He says:
As deep as our pain is, we know yours is deeper. We offer our deepest condolences to you and the entire royal family.
MPs have spoken of the late Queen’s “sense of duty, her wisdom, her kindness, her humour, how she touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of her constituents on her visits to all parts of this country “, he says.
He adds:
Queen Elizabeth’s wisdom and grace demonstrated a role in seeing the value of a constitutional monarchy in ensuring the liberties of our citizens and the fundamental unity of this kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Sir Lindsay says King Charles has taken on “weighty” new responsibilities and pledged to “help the old constitutional principles at the heart of our nation”.
Updated at 10.40am BST
The Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord McFall of Alcluith, pledges his loyalty to the king and says he is “proud and humbled” to welcome him to parliament.
Updated at 10.32 BST
The speech to King Charles begins with Lord McFall of Alcluith, speaking on behalf of the House of Lords, paying tribute to the late Queen’s “humility and integrity”.
Lord Speaker Lord McFall of Alcluith (L) and Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle (L) Photograph: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images
He says:
Our late Majesty’s cheerful and reassuring presence over the years made it difficult to contemplate such a long and inspiring reign of deep and unparalleled devotion as ever ending.
He said we all “feel an immeasurable sense of loss” and will remember “her commitment, her kindness, her humor, her courage and her fortitude, as well as her deep faith, which was the anchor of the his life.”
Updated at 10.47am BST
The King has arrived at Westminster Hall alongside the Queen Consort, where he will receive condolences from members of the Commons and Lords on the death of his mother, the Queen.
The arrival of King Charles marks his first visit as a monarch to parliament.
King Charles and Queen Camilla leave Clarence House. Photograph: Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters
Updated at 10.24am BST
Gentlemen at Arms, the King’s bodyguard, attend the presentation of the addresses of both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images The King’s Body Guard of Yeomen of the Guard before the arrival of King Charles III and the Queen consort at Westminster Hall. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PAPippa Crerar
King Charles will receive an address at Westminster Hall
The king is expected to arrive at Westminster Hall soon to receive an address from members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Prime Minister Liz Truss, Labor leader Keir Starmer and Scottish National Party (SNP) House of Commons leader Ian Blackford at Westminster Hall. Photograph: John Sibley/Reuters
Prime Minister Liz Truss and Opposition Leader Keir Starmer are among those gathered in Westminster Hall alongside other important Commons figures to one side of the throne at the head of the chamber.
To mark the start of the ceremony, the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry took their places on the south window balcony of the room.
The King’s Body Guard of Yeomen of the Guard and the Honorable Corps of Gentleman at Arms marched into Westminster Hall from the north gate to take up their position.
Updated at 10.12 BST
Yeomen of the Guard arrive at the Palace of Westminster, ahead of the presentation of the addresses of both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall. Photo: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister Liz Truss at Westminster Hall. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/Reuters Labor Party leader Keir Starmer in Westminster Hall. Photograph: John Sibley/Reuters