The death ofQueen Elizabethchanges everything for her eldest son.
The U.K.’s longest-reigning monarchdied peacefullyat age 96 at Balmoral Castle Thursday, makingPrince Charlesking, effective immediately. The 73-year-old royal will now be known as King Charles III.
“Today the Crown passes — as it is has done for more than a thousand years — to our new monarch, our new head of state: His Majesty King Charles III,” the prime minister said in part.
King Charles III.Hugo Burnand-Pool/Getty
Charles isn’t the only member of the royal family to receive a new title. His wife,Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will also now be styled as Queen Consort, an honorQueen Elizabethdirectly expressed her wishesfor in February.
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In a message released on the eve of the 70th anniversary of her becoming monarch,Queen Elizabethsaid that “when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles.Dominic Lipinski-WPA Pool/Getty Images
The new ranks were reflected in official communications from Buckingham Palace Thursday.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow,” a statement said.
Charles was also referenced as “His Majesty, the King” on letterhead from Buckingham Palace, in hisfirst statementas monarch following the death of his mother.
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” King Charles said.
Sang Tan/WPA Pool/Getty
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Upon his ascension in the royal line of succession, Charles follows his mother’s lead in keeping his own first name as monarch.
source: people.com
