The Prince of Wales has become King, having acceded to the throne immediately on the death of his mother, the Queen. Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle, aged 96.
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Her loved ones, including Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, travelled to Scotland to be by her side after doctors expressed fresh concern for her health. Despite his grief, duty calls for the new King and he is set to immediately return to the UK capital and Buckingham Palace to fulfil his royal destiny and begin his reign as monarch.
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Charles - who is the nation's longest-serving heir apparent, having been so since he was three years old when his grandfather, King George VI, passed - now needs to turn his hand to matters of state as sovereign and leads the nation in mourning. This is in line with Operation Spring Tide, which relates to the plan for King Charles' ascension to the throne.
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King Charles III, as it has been confirmed that His Majesty will be styled, will be expected to deliver a televised address in honour of his beloved mother.
The Prince of Wales has become King following the death of his mother
In the coming days, he will also meet the Prime Minister, confirm funeral plans, and tour the UK with his wife, who has now become the Queen Consort and has the title of Queen.
Additionally, there must be a formal proclamation of him as the new monarch at an Accession Council in St James's Palace in London as soon as practically possible. The Council is usually convened the day after the death of a sovereign.
The royal issued a heartfelt statement following his mother's death
In a statement following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, which was confirmed at 6.30pm BST on Thursday 8 September 2022, the King said: "The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
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"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know 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."
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