With Ascension Council proclamation, Charles III formally declared King

King Charles III was formally proclaimed the sovereign of the United Kingdom Saturday morning, following a rare meeting of Great Britain’s Ascension Council.

At 11 a.m., David White, the kingdom’s Garter King-at-Arms performed his once-in-a-lifetime ceremonial duty, proclaiming from the balcony of St. James’ Palace in London King Charles’ ascension to the throne.

“Whereas it has pleased almighty God to call to his mercy our late sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the crown of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to Prince Charles, Philip Arthur George,” the clerk of the council said.

“We therefore, the lords spiritual and temporal of this realm, and members of the House of Commons together with other members of her late majesty’s privy council and representatives of the realms and territories, alderman, citizens of London and others, with one voice and consent of tongue and heart publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, is now by our the death of our late sovereign of happy memory, become our only lawful and happy liege Lord.”

The clerk continued, “Charles III, by the grace of god of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of his other realms and territory, King, head of the commonwealth, defender of the faith, to whom we do acknowledge all faith and obedience with humble affection, beseeching god by whom kings and queens do reign to bless his majesty with long and happy years to reign over us.”

“God Save the King,” he concluded.

The proclamation followed a meeting to the Ascension Council, which gathers only after the death of a monarch, to acknowledge Charles as the heir to the crown.

The meeting included such head-of-state-housekeeping as the King’s oath to “maintain” and “preserve” the Church of Scotland — an artifact of the unification of the kingdoms following a 17th Century civil war — and the approval of various continuity-of-government plans.

Following White’s ascension proclamation, royal heralds traveled to repeat the proclamation, heading to London’s Royal Exchange, to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Flags flew briefly at full staff Saturday in honor of the new king, before returning to half-staff in mourning of the Queen.

On Friday, the royal made his first public address as the UK’s new monarch in the wake of his “darling mama” Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

“I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow,” the 73-year-old said as he began his nine minute pre-taped speech.

“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.”

Elsewhere, Charles vowed to follow in his mother’s footsteps and give a life of service to the British people and members of the Commonwealth.