Charles, the Prince of Wales, is the new King of Britain following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. He will be known as King Charles III.
In a statement issued by the Royal Family, King Charles says the death of his 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.”
King Charles said that the Queen’s demise, is a loss that will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the commonwealth.
“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 mourning 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,” he said.
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died Thursday at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.
The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.
With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.
“The King and the Queen Consort will return to London today, Friday.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tenure as head of state spanned post-war austerity, the transition from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War and the UK’s entry into – and withdrawal from – the European Union.
Her reign spanned 15 prime ministers starting with Winston Churchill, born in 1874, and including Liz Truss, born 101 years later in 1975, and appointed by the Queen earlier this week.
She held weekly audiences with her prime minister throughout her reign.
The Queen was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926.
