Charles will change as he takes on role of king - Nicholas Soames
King Charles will change as he takes on the role of monarch,
his longtime friend Sir Nicholas Soames has said.
Sir Nicholas, the grandson of Winston Churchill, who has
known the new King for over 60 years, said it did not matter that Charles had
expressed his views on issues in the past.
"As the King said last night, as he embarks on his new
responsibilities, clearly his life will change, and his views and the way that
he conducts himself will observe of course the constitutional principles," Sir
Nicholas told BBC Radio 4’s Today.
"He made absolutely plain that he intends to uphold the
constitutional principles at the heart of the nation that he understands very
well.
"The Prince of Wales has served a long apprenticeship at the
feet of an absolute master and he knows very well what the constitutional
obligations are."
He added Charles' opinions on the environment and climate
change are not "in the least bit contentious".
Sir Nicholas, a former Conservative MP, said Charles has
been through "a very unhappy time".
"The Prince of Wales lost his father 18 months ago and now
his mother, and I think it's natural that those feelings that he showed I
thought so well last night shone through."
Royal Family heading to church near Balmoral
BBCCopyright: BBC
Members of the Royal Family were seen heading to Crathie Kirk in four Land Rovers, to attend a private family service.
The family members who are attending the short service include Princess Anne, her husband Cmdr Tim Laurence and her children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. Prince Andrew and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. And also the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their daughter Lady Louise.
King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry all left Balmoral yesterday.
Royal Family expected to attend private service near Balmoral
It's expected that all members of the Royal Family currently at Balmoral will attend a private family service at nearby Crathie Kirk this afternoon. The service is due to start at 14:00.
We will bring you more as we get it.
Floral tributes left to Queen in Green Park's Memorial Garden
Hamzah Abbas
Reporting from central London
BBCCopyright: BBC
In London, the Memorial Garden in Green Park has transformed into a space for people to leave floral tributes to her Majesty.
There’s security at the entrance, ensuring that all packaging is removed from flowers before they are laid down.
Families are laying down their tributes and taking a moment to remember the Queen and what she meant to them.
Rachel and Alice Jones have come to lay down some flowers in memory of Her Majesty.
Alice said “It’s nice that so many people have had the same thought.”
Matthew Bye, who had come to pay tribute with the sisters, said that to him, laying down the flowers felt like the “end of an era.”
Nine-year-old Blake and her family chose to pay tribute in a different way. They decided to spell out the words “Thank You” from the fallen autumnal leaves to pay their respects.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Crowds continue to gather in Balmoral
Niall McCracken
Reporting from Balmoral Castle
BBCCopyright: BBC
The sun is shining as crowds continue to gather at the gates of the
Royal Family’s 50,000-acre country estate in Scotland.
It's here where Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully, surrounded by her
family on Thursday.
It’s also the location where she spent countless holidays with her
family.
Surrounded by picturesque countryside in the Scottish highlands,
Balmoral Castle has been one of the residences of the British Royal Family
since 1852.
People from all over the UK and further afield have gathered, as the sea
of flowers and tributes laid at the gates continues to grow.
The Queen's coffin
will depart Balmoral estate in the coming days for the Palace of Holyroodhouse
in Edinburgh.
BBCCopyright: BBC
BBCCopyright: BBC
Senior MPs take allegiance to King Charles
EPACopyright: EPA
Senior MPs, including Prime Minister Liz Truss, have sworn a new oath of allegiance to King Charles III in a special session of Parliament.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle opened proceedings by taking the oath, followed by Sir Peter Bottomley, the longest-serving MP.
Hoyle said "time constraints" meant only a small number of MPs could take the oath today.
Truss was among those taking the pledge, speaking the words: "I swear by almighty God, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God."
In a rare sitting, MPs and peers are gathering for a second consecutive day of tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
It is the last time Parliament will be in session until the period of national mourning has ended following the Queen's state funeral.
Earlier, senior ministers attended the Accession Council at St James's Palace, where Charles will be formally proclaimed sovereign.
PM Truss heads to Parliament
Prime Minister Liz Truss has left Downing Street for the House of Commons, where MPs are meeting to swear oaths of allegiance to the new King and continue paying tribute to the Queen.
UK POOLCopyright: UK POOL
In pictures: Crowds gather for historic ceremony
Here are some images from the proclamation ceremony which took place at the Royal Exchange in the City of London following the earlier proclamation at St James's Palace.
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Members of the City of LImage caption: Members of the City of L
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
King Charles returns to Buckingham Palace
The new King has just returned to Buckingham Palace following that meeting of the Accession Council at St James's Palace.
There were loud cheers from the crowds gathered there as the sovereign's vehicle, flying the royal standard, drove through the gates.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Watch as Charles is proclaimed king in TV first
Video content
Video caption: Charles III is proclaimed king in TV firstCharles III is proclaimed king in TV first
Trumpets played, "God Save the King!" was proclaimed, and King Charles III paid tribute to the Queen in an address to members of the Accession Council.
Today's historic proceedings have never been seen before on camera. The last time these proceedings took place was in 1952, after the death of the Queen's father.
It was the decision of King Charles III to allow television cameras into the Accession Council for the first time to allow the public to view proceedings.
Post update
BBCCopyright: BBC
The historic ceremony in the Throne Room at St James's Palace a little earlier saw all six living former UK prime ministers gather to greet the new King and witness the proclamation.
Proclamation ceremony over
The Proclamation ceremony at the Royal Exchange - the second and last such ceremony to be held in London - is now over.
Further Proclamations will be read in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at noon tomorrow.
BBCCopyright: BBC
God Save the King is played
The trumpeters sounded a Royal Salute.
The Band of Coldstream Guards followed with the National
Anthem.
The Lord Mayor calls for "Three cheers
for His Majesty The King!"
The Proclamation is read out
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
The Clarenceux King of Arms (a London officer of arms) reads the Proclamation and proclaims: "God save the
King!"
Trumpets sound ahead of the Proclamation
BBCCopyright: BBC
The trumpeters sound a fanfare, marking the
start of the proceedings.
The Common Cryer is now demanding silence.
Procession arrives at the Royal Exchange in London
A second Proclamation is about to read in the City of London.
State Trumpeters just led a procession which included the Lord Mayor as well as various City officers and are now taking up a
position on the top step of the Royal Exchange.
BBCCopyright: BBC
If you're just joining us...
BBCCopyright: BBC
Welcome, here are some of the key moments we've been covering, as Charles III was publicly proclaimed king at a historic ceremony at St James's Palace in London:
King
Charles III, 73, gave a short address in front of former prime ministers,
senior judges and other officials
The
King gave an oath and paid tribute to the Queen, pledging to follow her
example
He
also approved a new Bank Holiday for the Queen's state funeral - the date
of which is yet to be announced
Trumpets
then sounded and crowds sang as "God Save The King" was
proclaimed by the Garter King of Arms
Gun
salutes took place in Hyde Park and the Tower of London as the Principal
Proclamation was read
Messages and drawings for the Queen at Buckingham Palace
Hamzah Abbas
Reporting from Buckingham Palace
BBCCopyright: BBC
There are huge crowds outside Buckingham Palace again.
Floral tributes, scented candles and children’s drawings of the Queen have all been left here, and in nearby Green Park.
Poppy, age 7, says that she is “sorry that the Queen has died and gone to heaven. I liked her corgis.”
Other children have left messages of love on drawings of Her Majesty.
Security are advising that anyone else wishing to leave floral tributes do so in Green Park, with packaging removed.
Second Proclamation to be read in the City of London
At midday, UK-time, a second Proclamation will be read from the
steps of the Royal Exchange in the City of London.
The ceremony will be similar to the one we just witnessed at St
James's Park. Trumpeters will sound a Royal Salute, and the band will play the
National Anthem.
Finally, the Lord Mayor will then call for "three cheers
for His Majesty The King".
This is what the Royal Exchange looked like on 8 February 1952,
when the Proclamation of Accession of Queen Elizabeth II was read:
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
A seamless and symbolic transfer of power
Sean Coughlan
BBC News, royal correspondent
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The new King paid warm tribute to his mother, but this was the
point when Charles began to look forward to his own reign.
Before the Accession Council’s ranks of senior politicians and
public figures, King Charles dedicated the rest of his life to serving as
monarch.
It was a mix of ritual, ornate language and constitutional
practicality.
Charles is now the head of state and here was the seamless and
symbolic transfer from one reign to the next, with oaths and signatures.
The inkpot used had been given to him by his sons, Prince William
and Prince Harry.
The announcements also confirmed that the day of the Queen’s state
funeral would be a public holiday.
But here was the King publicly shouldering his new responsibilities,
promising to follow in the Queen’s example. It was the choreography of
continuity.
Live Reporting
Edited by Nathan Williams
All times stated are UK
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
EPACopyright: EPA 
UK POOLCopyright: UK POOL 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Members of the City of LImage caption: Members of the City of L 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters Video caption: Charles III is proclaimed king in TV firstCharles III is proclaimed king in TV first 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC -
King
Charles III, 73, gave a short address in front of former prime ministers,
senior judges and other officials
-
The
King gave an oath and paid tribute to the Queen, pledging to follow her
example
-
He
also approved a new Bank Holiday for the Queen's state funeral - the date
of which is yet to be announced
-
Trumpets
then sounded and crowds sang as "God Save The King" was
proclaimed by the Garter King of Arms
-
Gun
salutes took place in Hyde Park and the Tower of London as the Principal
Proclamation was read
BBCCopyright: BBC 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Latest PostCharles will change as he takes on role of king - Nicholas Soames
King Charles will change as he takes on the role of monarch, his longtime friend Sir Nicholas Soames has said.
Sir Nicholas, the grandson of Winston Churchill, who has known the new King for over 60 years, said it did not matter that Charles had expressed his views on issues in the past.
"As the King said last night, as he embarks on his new responsibilities, clearly his life will change, and his views and the way that he conducts himself will observe of course the constitutional principles," Sir Nicholas told BBC Radio 4’s Today.
"He made absolutely plain that he intends to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of the nation that he understands very well.
"The Prince of Wales has served a long apprenticeship at the feet of an absolute master and he knows very well what the constitutional obligations are."
He added Charles' opinions on the environment and climate change are not "in the least bit contentious".
Sir Nicholas, a former Conservative MP, said Charles has been through "a very unhappy time".
"The Prince of Wales lost his father 18 months ago and now his mother, and I think it's natural that those feelings that he showed I thought so well last night shone through."
Royal Family heading to church near Balmoral
Members of the Royal Family were seen heading to Crathie Kirk in four Land Rovers, to attend a private family service.
The family members who are attending the short service include Princess Anne, her husband Cmdr Tim Laurence and her children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. Prince Andrew and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. And also the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their daughter Lady Louise.
King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry all left Balmoral yesterday.
Royal Family expected to attend private service near Balmoral
It's expected that all members of the Royal Family currently at Balmoral will attend a private family service at nearby Crathie Kirk this afternoon. The service is due to start at 14:00.
We will bring you more as we get it.
Floral tributes left to Queen in Green Park's Memorial Garden
Hamzah Abbas
Reporting from central London
In London, the Memorial Garden in Green Park has transformed into a space for people to leave floral tributes to her Majesty.
There’s security at the entrance, ensuring that all packaging is removed from flowers before they are laid down.
Families are laying down their tributes and taking a moment to remember the Queen and what she meant to them.
Rachel and Alice Jones have come to lay down some flowers in memory of Her Majesty.
Alice said “It’s nice that so many people have had the same thought.”
Matthew Bye, who had come to pay tribute with the sisters, said that to him, laying down the flowers felt like the “end of an era.”
Nine-year-old Blake and her family chose to pay tribute in a different way. They decided to spell out the words “Thank You” from the fallen autumnal leaves to pay their respects.
Crowds continue to gather in Balmoral
Niall McCracken
Reporting from Balmoral Castle
The sun is shining as crowds continue to gather at the gates of the Royal Family’s 50,000-acre country estate in Scotland.
It's here where Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday.
It’s also the location where she spent countless holidays with her family.
Surrounded by picturesque countryside in the Scottish highlands, Balmoral Castle has been one of the residences of the British Royal Family since 1852.
People from all over the UK and further afield have gathered, as the sea of flowers and tributes laid at the gates continues to grow.
The Queen's coffin will depart Balmoral estate in the coming days for the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
Senior MPs take allegiance to King Charles
Senior MPs, including Prime Minister Liz Truss, have sworn a new oath of allegiance to King Charles III in a special session of Parliament.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle opened proceedings by taking the oath, followed by Sir Peter Bottomley, the longest-serving MP.
Hoyle said "time constraints" meant only a small number of MPs could take the oath today.
Truss was among those taking the pledge, speaking the words: "I swear by almighty God, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God."
In a rare sitting, MPs and peers are gathering for a second consecutive day of tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
It is the last time Parliament will be in session until the period of national mourning has ended following the Queen's state funeral.
Earlier, senior ministers attended the Accession Council at St James's Palace, where Charles will be formally proclaimed sovereign.
PM Truss heads to Parliament
Prime Minister Liz Truss has left Downing Street for the House of Commons, where MPs are meeting to swear oaths of allegiance to the new King and continue paying tribute to the Queen.
In pictures: Crowds gather for historic ceremony
Here are some images from the proclamation ceremony which took place at the Royal Exchange in the City of London following the earlier proclamation at St James's Palace.
King Charles returns to Buckingham Palace
The new King has just returned to Buckingham Palace following that meeting of the Accession Council at St James's Palace.
There were loud cheers from the crowds gathered there as the sovereign's vehicle, flying the royal standard, drove through the gates.
Watch as Charles is proclaimed king in TV first
Video content
Trumpets played, "God Save the King!" was proclaimed, and King Charles III paid tribute to the Queen in an address to members of the Accession Council.
Today's historic proceedings have never been seen before on camera. The last time these proceedings took place was in 1952, after the death of the Queen's father.
It was the decision of King Charles III to allow television cameras into the Accession Council for the first time to allow the public to view proceedings.
Post update
The historic ceremony in the Throne Room at St James's Palace a little earlier saw all six living former UK prime ministers gather to greet the new King and witness the proclamation.
Proclamation ceremony over
The Proclamation ceremony at the Royal Exchange - the second and last such ceremony to be held in London - is now over.
Further Proclamations will be read in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at noon tomorrow.
God Save the King is played
The trumpeters sounded a Royal Salute.
The Band of Coldstream Guards followed with the National Anthem.
The Lord Mayor calls for "Three cheers for His Majesty The King!"
The Proclamation is read out
The Clarenceux King of Arms (a London officer of arms) reads the Proclamation and proclaims: "God save the King!"
Trumpets sound ahead of the Proclamation
The trumpeters sound a fanfare, marking the start of the proceedings.
The Common Cryer is now demanding silence.
Procession arrives at the Royal Exchange in London
A second Proclamation is about to read in the City of London.
State Trumpeters just led a procession which included the Lord Mayor as well as various City officers and are now taking up a position on the top step of the Royal Exchange.
If you're just joining us...
Welcome, here are some of the key moments we've been covering, as Charles III was publicly proclaimed king at a historic ceremony at St James's Palace in London:
Messages and drawings for the Queen at Buckingham Palace
Hamzah Abbas
Reporting from Buckingham Palace
There are huge crowds outside Buckingham Palace again.
Floral tributes, scented candles and children’s drawings of the Queen have all been left here, and in nearby Green Park.
Poppy, age 7, says that she is “sorry that the Queen has died and gone to heaven. I liked her corgis.”
Other children have left messages of love on drawings of Her Majesty.
Security are advising that anyone else wishing to leave floral tributes do so in Green Park, with packaging removed.
Second Proclamation to be read in the City of London
At midday, UK-time, a second Proclamation will be read from the steps of the Royal Exchange in the City of London.
The ceremony will be similar to the one we just witnessed at St James's Park. Trumpeters will sound a Royal Salute, and the band will play the National Anthem.
Finally, the Lord Mayor will then call for "three cheers for His Majesty The King".
This is what the Royal Exchange looked like on 8 February 1952, when the Proclamation of Accession of Queen Elizabeth II was read:
A seamless and symbolic transfer of power
Sean Coughlan
BBC News, royal correspondent
The new King paid warm tribute to his mother, but this was the point when Charles began to look forward to his own reign.
Before the Accession Council’s ranks of senior politicians and public figures, King Charles dedicated the rest of his life to serving as monarch.
It was a mix of ritual, ornate language and constitutional practicality.
Charles is now the head of state and here was the seamless and symbolic transfer from one reign to the next, with oaths and signatures.
The inkpot used had been given to him by his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
The announcements also confirmed that the day of the Queen’s state funeral would be a public holiday.
But here was the King publicly shouldering his new responsibilities, promising to follow in the Queen’s example. It was the choreography of continuity.