Liz Truss announces King Charles III’s ascension after Queen’s death

Charles is already the new King after his mother - Queen Elizabeth II - died aged 96. And Camilla has a new title as well.

King Charles has ascended the throne. Picture: Getty Images.

Charles is now King after his mother the Queen died aged 96 today following 70 years on the throne.

The new Monarch, 73, is the third Charles in British history to reign and his wife Camilla is now The Queen Consort.

Clarence House confirmed he will be known as King Charles III.

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King Charles spoke of his ‘great sadness’ following his mother’s death. Picture: AFP

He is not the only member of the royal family to adopt a new name, with Harry and Meghan’s children now becoming Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet after their grandfather’s ascension.

It comes a year after Meghan suggested Archie was denied the title due to racism within the royal family during her bombshell Oprah interview.

To prevent the children from becoming prince and princess, the King would have to issue a Letters Patent amending their rights under protocols established by King George V in 1917.

In a sombre statement, Buckingham Palace today confirmed Her Majesty Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history, died peacefully.

King Charles III said in 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.”

“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.

“During this period of moorings 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.”

Queen Consort Camilla with the new King of Britain, King Charles, with his late mother the Queen. Picture: AFP.

He will stay at Balmoral in Scotland tonight with the Queen Consort Camilla and return to London tomorrow.

Prime Minister Liz Truss said: “Today the Crown passes, as it has done for more than a thousand years, to our new Monarch, our new head of state, His Majesty King Charles III.”

She called today “the passing of the second Elizabethan age” and concluded: “God Save the King.”

"Queen Elizabeth II was the rock on which modern Britain was built"

Prime Minister Liz Truss pays tribute to the Queen Elizabeth II, who has died aged 96https://t.co/qmv4KQNpMspic.twitter.com/TVoyQ4Grb0

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) September 8, 2022

And she called Her Majesty “the rock on which modern Britain was built”.

It has been 337 years since a Charles last reigned. King Charles II ruled over England, Scotland and Ireland until 1685.

The Queen confirmed in February that it was her “sincerest wish” that Camilla – then the Duchess of Cornwall – would be Queen Consort.

She was given lesser title Princess Consort after marrying Charles in 2005.

Charles and Camilla were said to be “touched and honoured” at the decision.

Charles and Camilla in Scotland earlier this month. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images.

Last month it was revealed he had been making regular morning visits to Her Majesty at Balmoral as fears for her health grew.

Buckingham Palace announced in a statement released about 3.30am AEDT: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

The UK was immediately plunged into a state of mourning, with plans for her funeral and a national day of remembrance to be announced in the coming days.

Her passing comes after Prince Charles and Prince William raced to be by the Queen’s side after doctors confirmed they were “concerned” for her health.

Prior to her death the monarch was said by Buckingham Palace to be “comfortable” at Balmoral, where she remained under medical supervision.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and has been reproduced here with permission