King Charles III, the new monarch

The sad death of Queen Elizabeth II meant her eldest son Charles, immediately became King Charles III upon her death. 

Here’s what you need to know about the new monarch. 

What will he be called? 

The former Prince of Wales will now be known as King Charles III. he could have chosen from any of his four names – Charles Philip Arthur George. 

But Charles isn’t the only one with a new title. His eldest son Prince William will become the Prince of Wales and he and his wife have also inherited the title of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall along with their Cambridge titles. 

There is also a new title for Charles’ wife Camilla, who is now the Queen Consort – consort is a term used for the spouse of the monarch. 

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What happens now? 

Charles will likely be officially proclaimed King on Saturday and will happen at St James’s Palace in London in front of a ceremonial body known as the Assession Council. 

The Coronation

King Charles’s coronation – when Charles is formally crowned is not likely to happen quickly. 

There needs to be time to prepare for the ceremony and whilst it is a state occasion being filmed for the world, it’s likely it’ll be a much-more scaled-down event that the Queen’s coronation in 1953. 

Elizabeth succeeded to the throne in February 1952 but was not crowned until June 1953. So expect a fairly long wait. 

The coronation will feature music, readings and the ritual of anointing the new monarch – using oils of orange, roses cinnamon, musk and ambergris. 

The new king will take the coronation oath on national TV. The Archbishop of Canterbury will place the solid gold crown on his head and during the ceremony, Charles will receive the orb and sceptre as symbols of his new role. 

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