Queen Elizabeth II’s cortege arrives at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh
The king promised to uphold parliamentary traditions in his first speech to MPs and peers.
The monarch said he would aim to follow in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, by upholding the principles of constitutional government.
Earlier, the Duke of Sussex paid an emotional tribute to his late grandmother, the Queen, as he thanked her for her “sound advice” and “infectious smile”.
Harry also described her as a “guiding compass” for her commitment to service and duty.
In a statement released on Monday, which is understood to have been delayed by a day out of respect for the 9/11 anniversary, the Duke also said he wanted to honor his father at the start of his reign as king .
Harry said: “As we celebrate the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, and mourn her loss, we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was to so many in her commitment to service and duty.
“We echo the words she spoke after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, words that can now comfort us all: ‘Life, of course, is about last goodbyes and first reunions.’
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King arrives at RAF Northolt
King Charles III has arrived at RAF Northold, from where he and the Queen consort will fly to Edinburgh.
There will be a service of thanksgiving at St Giles Cathedral, where the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II will lie.
The Epistle will be read by the (Catholic) Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.
The Gospel will be read by the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.
Matt Mathers September 12, 2022 11:25 am
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New Met Police Commissioner swears in King on first day in post
The Metropolitan Police’s new commissioner has sworn allegiance to the king as he takes office amid unprecedented challenges.
Sir Mark Rowley, the UK’s former head of counter-terrorism, said he would work to ensure the safety of the crowds gathering to pay their respects to the Queen.
Our Home Affairs Editor Lizzie Dearden reports:
The new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, is sworn in by the King
Cressida Dick’s successor says first priorities will be delivering Queen’s memorials safely and rebuilding public trust
Matt Mathers September 12, 2022 11:19 am
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What happens now that the King has addressed the Houses of Parliament?
As we have been reporting, the King addressed MPs and peers at Westminster Hall, where he promised to uphold the principles of constitutional government.
The monarch and queen consort are now heading to Scotland.
The Queen’s oak coffin, which began its final journey from Balmoral Castle on Sunday, will be carried from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh to lie in rest.
My colleague Holly Bancroft has more details:
Everything happening in Edinburgh today as royals return to Scotland to mourn the Queen
The Queen’s coffin will one day rest in St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh
Matt Mathers September 12, 2022 11:08 am
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Watch in full: The King’s Speech
In his speech, the king described parliament as the “living, breathing instrument of our democracy” as he referred to connections with “my dear late mother”.
Responding to addresses to both Houses of Parliament, Charles said: “Parliament is the living, breathing instrument of our democracy.
“That your traditions are ancient, we see in the construction of this great hall and the reminders of the medieval predecessors of the office to which I have been called, and the tangible connections with my beloved late mother that we see around us.”
You can find the full address here:
Watch full: King Charles III pledges to uphold ‘traditions’ in Westminster address
Matt Mathers September 12, 2022 10:57 am
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The king is committed to maintaining parliamentary traditions
The king promised to uphold parliamentary traditions in his first speech to MPs and peers.
The monarch said he would aim to follow in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, by upholding the principles of constitutional government.
He and the Queen Consort will travel to Edinburgh later today.
Our politics correspondent Adam Forrest has more details:
King Charles III pledges to uphold ‘parliamentary traditions’
King promises to “follow faithfully” the precious principles of constitutional monarchy
Matt Mathers September 12, 2022 10:47 am
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The king addresses Parliament
King Charles III now addresses the Houses of Parliament.
He says he is “deeply grateful” for the messages of condolence from MPs and colleagues.
He adds that he cannot help but feel the “weight of history” of parliamentary traditions as his speech does.
(BBC)
Matt Mathers September 12, 2022 10:39 am
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The common rapporteur opens the procedure
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the Commons, has started proceedings in Westminster Hall.
He paid tribute to the late Queen, offering his “wholehearted” sympathies to the royal family.
Deputies and colleagues will also pay tribute. More below:
Sir Lindsay Hoyle addresses King Charles III
Matt Mathers September 12, 2022 10:31 am
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Queen’s police lying to the state is ‘a massive challenge’, Met chief says
New Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the Queen’s lying to the state presented a “massive challenge… but we’ve been preparing for many, many years”.
Sir Mark said he joined the planning for the Queen’s death “five or six years ago”. He added: “We will have a secure event but we will put thousands of officers there because of the level of security required and the millions of people who want to pay their respects.”
Rowley swore allegiance to King Charles III on Monday, adding that in the next two weeks his top priorities are to “lead a Met that enables Londoners and visitors from around the world to safely pay their respects to Her late Majesty the Queen”.
“Secondly, as we continue to police local communities, we will begin the reform journey to renew policing by consent.”
Thomas Kingsley September 12, 2022 10:30 am
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MPs gather in Westminster Hall to pay their respects
MPs gather in Westminster Hall as King Charles III prepares to address both houses of Parliament for the first time as king.
Liz Truss, the new Prime Minister, and Keir Starmer, the Labor leader, are among those in attendance.
The King and Queen Consort will arrive at Parliament shortly.
Labor Party leader Keir Starmer (C) and British Prime Minister Liz Truss talk in Westminster
(Getty Images)
Matt Mathers September 12, 2022 10:26 am
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King Charles addressed Parliament for the first time
King Charles III will address Parliament for the first time as a monarch after hearing condolences from MPs.
Black-clad MPs took their seats in Westminster Hall with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in attendance, as well as Prime Minister Liz Truss, Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer and former Tory leader hopeful Rishi Sunak.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Rishi Sunak is based in Westminster Hall
(REUTERS)
Labor Party leader Keir Starmer (C) and British Prime Minister Liz Truss talk in Westminster
(Getty Images)
British Prime Minister Liz Truss arrives to attend the presentation of the speeches of both houses of Parliament
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Thomas Kingsley September 12, 2022 10:07 am