King Charles III has addressed MPs at Westminster Hall for the first time on Monday, where he says he is “deeply grateful” for the addresses of condolence by the Speakers of the Lords and Commons, pledged to uphold the principles of constitutional government.
According to King Charles III, the late Queen Elizabeth II was “a pattern to all princes living”, he says, quoting Shakespeare.
“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.
“Parliament the “the living and breathing instrument of our democracy” and a reminder of “medieval predecessors of the office to which I’ve been called.
“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.
“Her late Majesty “pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the precious principles of constitutional government which lie the heart of our nation”, he says.
“She sets an example of selfless duty which, with God’s help and your counsel, I am resolved faithfully to follow”, he said.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, is up next, speaking on behalf of the house in extending his “heartfelt” sympathy to the King and his family.
He says:
Deep as our grief is, we know yours is deeper. We offer our heartfelt sympathy to you and all the royal family.
MPs have spoken of the late Queen’s “sense of duty, her wisdom, her kindness, her humour, how she touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of her constituents in her visits to every part of this country”, he says.
He added that Queen Elizabeth’s wisdom and grace demonstrated a role to see the value of a constitutional monarchy in securing the liberties of our citizens and the fundamental unity of this kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Sir Lindsay says King Charles has taken on “weighty” new responsibilities and has pledged himself “to help old constitutional principles at the heart of our nation”.
King Charles III travel to attend a processing of the Late Queen’s Coffin at Edinburgh later the Coffin to be moved to London on Tuesday.
The Queen’s funeral is slated for 19th September 2022.