King Charles III has begun executing royal public duties, formally anointing members of his family with the titles he previously bore as first in line to the British throne and shedding responsibilities that he can no longer carry as the monarch.
In a roughly 10-minute pre-recorded address delivered at 6 p.m. London time, the king, less than a day after assuming that position following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, set a broad vision for how he plans to enter into his new role, borrowing language generally associated with the oaths that incoming sovereigns vow.
"As the queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I, too, now solemnly pledge myself throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation," Charles said in the address from Buckingham Palace, wearing a black tie and suit with a patterned pocket handkerchief.
The address was broadcast hours after Charles arrived at the palace, where he greeted throngs of well-wishers outside before meeting with newly appointed Prime Minister Liz Truss, who only Tuesday received permission from the queen during a visit to Scotland to form a new government in one of the last monarch's final official acts.
In his remarks, he referenced the almost unrecognizable changes the U.K. has undertaken since the last time a new monarch ascended to the throne. As a young queen in 1953, Elizabeth witnessed the waning days of Britain's empire and how it began rebuilding itself in the aftermath of the destruction of World War II to break from its past and become a multicultural society.
"Whatever may be your background and beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life," Charles said.
And beginning with his first public edicts as king, he noted, "My life will, of course, change as I take up my new responsibilities."
He acknowledged he can no longer oversee his various charities - one of the central components of his tenure as prince of Wales. He led more than 400 organizations, including several environmental advocacy groups and those dedicated to historic conservation.
"This is also a time of change for my family," Charles added.
"I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla. In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my queen consort," Charles said, wielding his new right to bestow the highest possible title for the spouse of a king that his mother had originally said would not apply to her son's second wife - who herself had previously been married. That changed earlier this year when Elizabeth said she did indeed support that title for the former Camilla Parker Bowles.
"As my heir, William, now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me. He succeeds me as duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the duchy of Cornwall, which I have undertaken for more than five decades," the king added.
And he bestowed, as predicted, the title of prince of Wales on his eldest son as well, using a flourish of the Welsh language that he learned during a tour of the country of Wales in anticipation of his investiture as prince in 1969 at Caernarfon Castle.
In a subtle acknowledgement to how Charles perceives his own tenure, he added, "With Catherine beside him, our new prince and princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where vital help can be given."
The king broke from royal standards, however, in addressing his second son, Harry, who emigrated to America shortly after marrying American actress Meghan Markle and who shed his royal responsibilities in recognition of their anger at how they perceived the British people and the royal family itself treated her. Though they still bear the titles the queen bestowed upon them, the duke and duchess of Sussex, Charles offered a simpler, shorter address.
"I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas," the king said.
He noted the funeral arrangements that will take place for Elizabeth in a little more than a week - a length of time during which President Joe Biden made the unprecedented decision to keep U.S. flags flying at half-staff - where "we will come together as a nation, a commonwealth and indeed as a global community to lay my beloved mother to rest."
"In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example," Charles said. "My most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support."
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