William and Kate, along with Harry and Meghan, exchanged views with mourners and onlookers who had gathered along the main avenue at Windsor Castle on Saturday afternoon, and viewed flowers and personal messages that had been laid outside the property.
It is also the first public appearance for Kate and William (both 40) since wearing their new titles – Prince and Princess of Wales. Williams and Harry’s father, the new King Charles III, had forgiven the two in his first speech to the nation on Friday.
The relationship between the two couples, who were called “Fab Four” in the British press before Meghan (41) and Harry (37) left the royal family, is now considered difficult. However, William and Kate are said to have invited Harry and Meghan to the joint appearance, according to a spokesman for the couple.
Sea of flowers in front of Buckingham Palace
At Buckingham Palace, however, the stream of mourners did not stop on Saturday either. Thousands of people gathered early in the morning to lay flowers or cards, light candles or pause. Despite the crowds, the atmosphere was calm and respectful, British news agency PA reported. Many mourners also traveled from further afield.
To ensure that the property in London’s government district of Westminster does not sink under the sea of flowers, all the bouquets are allowed to lie in front of them for twelve hours before they are taken to the adjacent Green Park. This is also indicated by a sign on the fence of the palace.
ORF report on the proclamation of Charles III.
ORF correspondent Jörg Winter reports from London on Charles’ proclamation as king, on his message and what will change for him now.
Funeral procession through London
Meanwhile, more and more details of the funeral, which will take place on September 19, are emerging. The coffin containing the late Queen will be carried in a public procession through the streets of central London next Wednesday (September 14).
As the palace announced on Saturday, the coffin is to be brought from Buckingham Palace to Parliament on a horse-drawn carriage known as a carriage. The funeral procession is to descend The Mall and pass through the parade ground of Horse Guards Parade, White Hall and Parliament Street to Parliament, known as the Palace of Westminster. The Queen will be laid out there for four days.
US President Biden comes to the funeral
Heads of state and other high-ranking guests from around the world, including US President Joe Biden and Japanese Emperor Naruhito, are expected to travel to the UK for the state funeral. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel have also confirmed their attendance. On the day of the funeral, people in Great Britain should be released. Charles III approved an additional holiday.
The coffin will then be taken to Windsor, where the Queen will be buried alongside her husband Prince Philip, who died last year.
Charles proclaimed king
Charles was officially proclaimed King of Britain on Saturday. “Three cheers for your Majesty the King,” cried the senior Herald of England, David White, in London from a balcony of St James’s Palace, the official residence of the British monarch. “Hip, hip, hooray,” replied soldiers below the balcony.
The proclamation document had previously been drawn up in the palace at a meeting of the Council of Succession, which includes hundreds of public figures. Signatories included Charles’ eldest son William – the new heir to the throne – his wife Camilla and Prime Minister Liz Truss.
The ceremony was accompanied by the cry “God save the king!” Charles stated, “In carrying out the difficult task that has been entrusted to me, and to which I now devote what remains of my life, I pray for the guidance and help of Almighty God.”
In fact, the 73-year-old has been king since the death of Elizabeth II. She died on Thursday at the age of 96. She recently celebrated her 70th anniversary of the throne. A coronation is also pending – but the date for this is still open. Elizabeth II’s coronation took place in 1953 – 16 months after she became queen after the death of her father.
Charles points to ‘inspiring role model’
“I am deeply aware of the great legacy and the duties and heavy responsibilities of the monarch that have now been entrusted to me,” said Charles III. on Saturday. The reign of his mother, who died on Thursday at the age of 96, was unsurpassed in length, devotion and devotion. He will strive to “follow the inspirational example that has been given to me in upholding the Constitution and seeking peace, harmony and prosperity among the peoples of these islands, Commonwealth areas and territories around the world.”
Photo series with 24 pictures
heavy legacy
Charles is now taking on a difficult legacy, the Queen stood for consistency and a sense of duty for over 70 years. During her reign there were 15 prime ministers and certainly many crises. But the point in time when Charles will become king after decades as heir to the throne is particularly delicate.
Since the Brexit vote in 2016, British politics has been in a permanent crisis. The pandemic went straight into a serious supply crisis caused by the Ukraine war. Inflation in the UK is currently over 10% and is likely to rise further. There is now also great concern in the royal family that there could be more independence tendencies in the states of the Commonwealth.