King Charles III, who ascended to the throne at age 73, told British Prime Minister Liz Truss that the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was a moment that he had been “dreading” all his life. Britain’s new monarch and the newly anointed Conservative leader met at Buckingham Palace for the first time on Friday.
Liz Truss was appointed as the new UK Prime Minister by the queen just two days before her death on Thursday.
During their meeting, the king told Truss that he was touched by all the well-wishers who have been mourning the queen’s death and said, “It’s the moment I’ve been dreading, as I know a lot of people have. But you try and keep everything going.”
Afterwards, King Charles made his maiden address as the monarch and paid a heartfelt tribute to his mother and vowed to uphold the institution.
“Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today,” said Charles. He said that he felt ‘profound sorrow’ at the death of his mother and vowed to continue the queen’s ‘lifelong service’.
Earlier, Liz Truss, while speaking in the parliament, showed her support for the king and said, “His Majesty King Charles III bears an awesome responsibility that he now carries for all of us. Even as he mourns, his sense of duty and service is clear.”
“The crown endures. Our nation endures. And in that spirit, I say God save the King,” said Truss.
