• Britain's King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla sit at Westminster Hall, where both Houses of Parliament are meeting to offer their condolences after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in London. AP
    Britain's King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla sit at Westminster Hall, where both Houses of Parliament are meeting to offer their condolences after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in London. AP
  • King Charles gives his address thanking the members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons for their condolences. PA
    King Charles gives his address thanking the members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons for their condolences. PA
  • The king observes proceedings from his seat at Westminster Hall. PA
    The king observes proceedings from his seat at Westminster Hall. PA
  • Yeomen of the Guard march through Westminster Hall. Getty Images
    Yeomen of the Guard march through Westminster Hall. Getty Images
  • British Prime Minister Liz Truss in attendance. Getty Images
    British Prime Minister Liz Truss in attendance. Getty Images
  • A packed Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images
    A packed Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images
  • Britain's former prime minister Boris Johnson awaits the arrival of King Charles. Getty Images
    Britain's former prime minister Boris Johnson awaits the arrival of King Charles. Getty Images
  • Yeomen of the Guard arrive for the presentation of addresses. Getty Images
    Yeomen of the Guard arrive for the presentation of addresses. Getty Images
  • The order of events. Getty Images
    The order of events. Getty Images
  • King Charles waves as he leaves Clarence House for Westminster Hall. AP
    King Charles waves as he leaves Clarence House for Westminster Hall. AP
  • The king and the queen consort pass Big Ben en route to Westminster Hall. PA
    The king and the queen consort pass Big Ben en route to Westminster Hall. PA

King Charles III 'deeply grateful' for parliament condolences in his first address to MPs


Gillian Duncan
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Queen Elizabeth II dies - follow the latest news as the world mourns

King Charles III made a historic address to MPs and peers for the first time on Monday, before leading a procession behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin.

The new monarch and Queen Consort took their seats on thrones at the foot of steps in Westminster Hall as Lords and MPs offered their condolences.

“As Shakespeare says of the earlier Queen Elizabeth, she was a pattern to all princes living,” he said.

“As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of history, which surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital parliamentary traditions to which members of both houses dedicate yourselves with such personal commitment to the betterment of us all.”

The Lord Speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith, pledged his loyalty to the new monarch and presented an address on behalf of the House of Lords.

He said the queen was both “a leader to and a servant of the people”.

Her humility and integrity commanded the respect and captured the imagination of peoples and nations across the globe, he said.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who presented an address on behalf of MPs, said the loss of the queen was felt around the world.

The king then took to the stage to say he was “deeply grateful” for the condolences from the lords and commons.

He said the queen “set an example of selfless duty which, with God's help, and your counsel I am resolved to follow”.

“The great bell of Big Ben, one of the most powerful symbols of our nation, throughout the world and housed within Elizabeth Tower, also named for my mother's diamond jubilee, will mark the passage of the late queen's progress from Buckingham Palace to this parliament on Wednesday,” he said.

“My Lords and members of the House of Commons. We gather today in remembrance of the remarkable span of the queen’s dedicated service to her nations and peoples.

"While very young, her late majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the precious principles of constitutional government, which lie at the heart of our nation.

“This vow she kept with unsurpassed devotion. She set an example of selfless duty, which, with God’s help and your counsels, I am resolved faithfully to follow.”

The hall then sang God Save the King before the royal couple returned to Buckingham Palace.

The UK mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II - in pictures

  • A tribute altar for Queen Elizabeth II in Green Park in London. AFP
    A tribute altar for Queen Elizabeth II in Green Park in London. AFP
  • Ann Doran, 6, looks at floral tributes left in Green Park. Reuters
    Ann Doran, 6, looks at floral tributes left in Green Park. Reuters
  • Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, look at floral tributes on the Sandringham Estate. AFP
    Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, look at floral tributes on the Sandringham Estate. AFP
  • A drawing of the queen and her husband Prince Philip among flowers outside Windsor Castle. AFP
    A drawing of the queen and her husband Prince Philip among flowers outside Windsor Castle. AFP
  • Members of the public view floral tributes in Green Park, near Buckingham Palace. PA
    Members of the public view floral tributes in Green Park, near Buckingham Palace. PA
  • People queue on a bridge over the river Thames to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth in London. Reuters
    People queue on a bridge over the river Thames to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth in London. Reuters
  • A member of the public lights a candle at Windsor Parish Church. AFP
    A member of the public lights a candle at Windsor Parish Church. AFP
  • Residents of the Lawn care home in Alton, Hampshire, decorate an area with photographs of Queen Elizabeth, bunting and their own flower arrangements. PA
    Residents of the Lawn care home in Alton, Hampshire, decorate an area with photographs of Queen Elizabeth, bunting and their own flower arrangements. PA
  • Lloyd's of London chief John Neal delivers remarks honouring the life of Queen Elizabeth during a remembrance ceremony in the atrium of the company's offices in London. Getty Images
    Lloyd's of London chief John Neal delivers remarks honouring the life of Queen Elizabeth during a remembrance ceremony in the atrium of the company's offices in London. Getty Images
  • Joyce Buckley, a sponge decorator at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, paints a commemorative mug. PA
    Joyce Buckley, a sponge decorator at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, paints a commemorative mug. PA
  • A royalist standing in front of Buckingham Palace. AFP
    A royalist standing in front of Buckingham Palace. AFP
  • Tributes to Queen Elizabeth are viewed at St James's Park in London. Reuters
    Tributes to Queen Elizabeth are viewed at St James's Park in London. Reuters
  • Crowds gather outside St. Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile as the queen's coffin passes in Edinburgh. Bloomberg
    Crowds gather outside St. Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile as the queen's coffin passes in Edinburgh. Bloomberg
  • Chelsea Pensioners attend a Drumhead service of remembrance, with readings and prayers, in London. Getty Images
    Chelsea Pensioners attend a Drumhead service of remembrance, with readings and prayers, in London. Getty Images
  • An image of Queen Elizabeth at Green Park Tube station. Reuters
    An image of Queen Elizabeth at Green Park Tube station. Reuters
  • Vanessa, Anne and Grace, from left to right, wait opposite the Palace of Westminster to be first in line bidding farewell to Queen Elizabeth in London. AP
    Vanessa, Anne and Grace, from left to right, wait opposite the Palace of Westminster to be first in line bidding farewell to Queen Elizabeth in London. AP
  • A young girl holds Paddington Bear and Corgi stuffed toys while waiting to watch the procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Reuters
    A young girl holds Paddington Bear and Corgi stuffed toys while waiting to watch the procession of Queen Elizabeth's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Reuters
  • Well-wishers outside Windsor Castle. Getty Images
    Well-wishers outside Windsor Castle. Getty Images
  • Lloyd Smith paints a portrait of Queen Elizabeth in London. AFP
    Lloyd Smith paints a portrait of Queen Elizabeth in London. AFP
  • A child lays flowers outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. AP
    A child lays flowers outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. AP
  • A family leaves flowers outside Buckingham Palace. EPA
    A family leaves flowers outside Buckingham Palace. EPA
  • Flowers and tributes, including sunflowers and a Paddington Bear, are left for Queen Elizabeth at the Green Park memorial in London. AP
    Flowers and tributes, including sunflowers and a Paddington Bear, are left for Queen Elizabeth at the Green Park memorial in London. AP
  • People start to camp on The Mall ahead of Queen Elizabeth's coffin being taken from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon by procession on a Gun Carriage to the Palace of Westminster. PA
    People start to camp on The Mall ahead of Queen Elizabeth's coffin being taken from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon by procession on a Gun Carriage to the Palace of Westminster. PA
  • Flowers left in St James's Park, London. PA
    Flowers left in St James's Park, London. PA
  • A man with his dog arrive early as they wait to view the cortege carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth in Edinburgh. Getty Images
    A man with his dog arrive early as they wait to view the cortege carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth in Edinburgh. Getty Images
  • Members of the public gather on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to watch the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. PA
    Members of the public gather on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to watch the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. PA
  • Crowds watch as the hearse continues its journey to the Palace of Holyroodhouse from Balmoral. PA
    Crowds watch as the hearse continues its journey to the Palace of Holyroodhouse from Balmoral. PA
  • The hearse passing over Queensferry Crossing on its way to Edinburgh. PA
    The hearse passing over Queensferry Crossing on its way to Edinburgh. PA
  • Flowers left at the Sandringham Estate, one of the queen's residences. EPA
    Flowers left at the Sandringham Estate, one of the queen's residences. EPA
  • A Paddington Bear teapot at the Sandringham Estate. EPA
    A Paddington Bear teapot at the Sandringham Estate. EPA
  • Flowers left at the gates of the Sandringham Estate. EPA
    Flowers left at the gates of the Sandringham Estate. EPA
  • Flowers, cards and messages left in St James's Park in London. EPA
    Flowers, cards and messages left in St James's Park in London. EPA
  • People lay flowers at Buckingham Palace in London. Reuters
    People lay flowers at Buckingham Palace in London. Reuters
Updated: September 12, 2022, 1:32 PM