‘I can feel the weight of history’: King Charles III makes first speech to Parliament

The new King said he was “deeply grateful” to parliamentarians for their condolences‘I can feel the weight of history’: King Charles III makes first speech to Parliament

on the loss of his “beloved mother”. He made his address in Westminster Hall, the exact same place where his mother will lie in state from Wednesday.
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The historic building, which is the oldest part of the Parliamentary estate and dates back to 1097, was packed as politicians gathered to hear from the new monarch.

“Parliament is the living and breathing instrument of our democracy,” King Charles told those gathered.

“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 for the betterment of as all.”

Speaking from a gilded lectern, he added: “Parliament is the living and breathing instrument of our democracy.

“That your traditions are ancient we see in the construction of this great hall and the reminders of mediaeval predecessors of the office to which I have been called and the tangible connections to my darling late mother we see all around us”.

Prime Minister Liz Truss, as well as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, joined MPs and peers on Monday morning under the cavernous timber roof of the ancient building in central London.

A fanfare of trumpets sounded as the King and Queen Consort, both dressed in black, arrived in Westminster Hall.

All those in attendance to hear from the King were dressed in sombre clothing as they continued to pay their respects to the death of the Queen.

Addresses to MPs and peers in Westminster Hall are relatively rare. In her 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II only addressed both Houses on five occasions.

Former US President Barack Obama and South African President Nelson Mandela are among others to have been given the honour of speaking in the historic space.

The hall was also where King Charles I, the new monarch’s namesake, was tried for treason in 1649.

King Charles III praised his mother’s “selfless duty” to constitutional monarchy this morning and vowed to continue to follow her example.

He said: “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.”

Queen Elizabeth II was the UK’s longest reigning monarch, with reminders of her time on the throne clear to see throughout the Parliamentary estate.

Drawing attention to monuments, the King added: “The tangible connections to my darling late mother we see all around us; from the Fountain in New Palace Yard which commemorates The late Queen’s Silver Jubilee to the Sundial in Old Palace Yard for the Golden Jubilee, the magnificent Stained Glass Window before me for the Diamond Jubilee and, so poignantly and yet to be formally unveiled, your most generous gift to Her late Majesty to mark the unprecedented Platinum Jubilee which we celebrated only three months ago, with such joyful hearts.

“The great bell of Big Ben – one of the most powerful symbols of our nation throughout the world and housed within the 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.”

The ceremony ended with both Charles and the Queen Consort standing as the national anthem was played.

Ahead of the address, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described the King’s appearance in Parliament as a moment of “reflection” and “great sadness”.

He told Sky News: “It’s a part of Westminster which is resplendent with history.

“I think we’ll all be very proud – proud of our country, proud of our amazing monarchy.”

Following his morning’s address at Parliament, the King will now travel to Scotland to inspect a guard of honour at the Palace of Holyroodhouse before attending a ceremony of the keys on the forecourt.

At the Palace, the King will hold audiences with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and, separately, Alison Johnstone, Scottish Parliament’s presiding officer.