King Charles’s televised proclamation a first in history

A global audience will be able to watch an ancient royal ritual unfold for the first time tonight as Charles, 73, ascends.

King Charles III will formally be proclaimed as the United Kingdom’s new monarch at a ceremony on Saturday morning British time (from 7pm Saturday AEST).

It will be the first time in history that the ancient ceremony will be televised.

The Accession Council, made up of senior Cabinet ministers, judges and leaders of the Church of England, will assemble, without Charles, at the State Apartments of St. James‘s Palace in London.

Charles will then hold his first Privy Council as king, where he will make a personal declaration about the death of the Queen and take an oath to preserve the Church of Scotland, necessary because in Scotland there is a division of powers between church and state.

A public proclamation announcing him as the new sovereign will then be made with a fanfare of trumpeters.

At 73, he is the oldest person to accede to the throne in British history.

In his first address to the nation after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles thanked his mother for her “love, affection, guidance and example”, pledging to devote his life to his people as she had.

His “darling wife”, Camilla will become Queen Consort and heir Prince William will assume the titles Duke of Cornwall and Prince of Wales.

Kate Middleton has been named the Princess of Wales, a title which has not been formally used since the death of Diana in 1997.

“Our new Prince and Princess of Wales will continue to inspire and lead our national conversation, helping to bring the margins to the centre ground where vital help can be given,” the King said in his address.

“I want also to express my love to Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives.”

Following Saturday’s proclamation, the country will remain in a period of mourning until after Queen Elizabeth II‘s funeral is held, expected within two weeks of her death.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to the UK with Governor-General David Hurley on Thursday to attend the lying in state, before the funeral, which will be held at Westminster Abbey where the Queen was crowned in 1953.

Mr Albanese is expected to have a brief audience with King Charles during his visit.

The new monarch hosted British Prime Minister Liz Truss at Buckingham Palace on Friday, after he returned to London from the royal family’s Scottish retreat Balmoral, where his mother passed away.

In a clip of His Majesty‘s first audience with Ms Truss, he tells her “It’s been so touching, this afternoon. All those people who came to give their condolences and leave flowers.”

As the PM offers her condolences, Charles responds: “You‘re very kind. It’s the moment I’ve been dreading as I know a lot of people have, but we try to keep everything going. Come. Come and have a seat”.