London (Web Desk): King Charles III was officially proclaimed as the new monarch of the United Kingdom (UK) at a ceremony at St James's Palace in London on Saturday.
Charles, 73, became king immediately following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, but a historic meeting formally confirmed his role on Saturday.
The Accession Council, a body made up of senior politicians, judges and officials, proclaimed him as the monarch.
The king was accompanied by his wife Camilla, son and heir Prince William.
In his address, King Charles III began by highlighting his mother’s impact on his upcoming reign.
"My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen. It is my most sorrowful duty to announce to you the death of my beloved Mother, The Queen," said Charles.
"I know how deeply you, the entire Nation - and I think I may say the whole world - sympathise with me in the irreparable loss we have all suffered.”
"It is the greatest consolation to me to know of the sympathy expressed by so many to my Sister and Brothers and that such overwhelming affection and support should be extended to our whole family in our loss."
"To all of us as a family, as to this kingdom and the wider family of nations of which it is a part, my Mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service."
"My Mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life."
"I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty which have now passed to me."
"In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these Islands and of the Commonwealth Realms and Territories throughout the world."
“In this purpose, I know that I shall be upheld by the affection and loyalty of the peoples whose Sovereign I have been called upon to be, and that in the discharge of these duties I will be guided by the counsel of their elected parliaments.”
Earlier on Friday, King Charles-III pledged to serve the nation with the same unswerving devotion as the late Queen had during her 70-year reign.
In his first address to the nation, he said despite their sorrow at the Queen's death, people in the UK and the Commonwealth remember and draw strength from the light of her examples.
UK’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said that the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday.
