King Charles III was officially proclaimed the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on Saturday morning.
His Majesty’s two-part accession council took place at the State Apartments of St. James’ Palace in London at 10 a.m. local time.
During the first part of the meeting, the Privy Council proclaimed the sovereign without him being present.
The second part featured the first Privy Council attended by Charles, who made his statement, read and signed an oath to maintain the security of the Church of Scotland and passed orders to facilitate the continuity of government.
Later on Saturday morning, Charles, 73, will participate in the main proclamation from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St. James’ Palace.
Further proclamations will be read at the Royal Exchange in London on Saturday at noon local time, and in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales on Sunday.
In recognition of Charles’ new title, the flags will be flown at full mast for approximately 24 hours over the weekend. Once all the proclamations in the UK have been read, flags will again be flown at half-mast in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen died Thursday at the age of 96 at her Balmoral Castle in Scotland after a historic 70 years on the British throne.
Charles, her eldest son, responded to his mother’s death in an emotional message later that day.
“The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of greatest sorrow for me and all members of my family,” he began.
“We deeply mourn the passing of a beloved sovereign and a dearly beloved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the rich and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
“During this period of grief 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 held so widely.”
Charles also paid tribute to the queen in his first televised speech as king, praising her as an “inspiration and example” to many.
Elizabeth II will be buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel in Windsor Castle, with the body of her late husband, Prince Philip, who will join her.
The funeral is expected to take place after the Queen’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey.