At the age of 73, King Charles III peacefully passed away this morning at Buckingham Palace.The King came to the throne on 8th September 2022 and witnessed an enormous economical crisis.
His son, King William V, said the death of his beloved father was a “moment of deep sorrow” for him and his family and that his loss would be deeply felt throughout the Royal Household.
He said: “We mourn the loss of a great yet short-reigned King, ”
“I know his loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
During the coming period of mourning, he said he and his family would be “kept going by our knowledge of the respect and joy in which the King was so widely held”.
The King and his wife, Catherine, now Queen Consort, will return to the Palace from Windsor Castle sooner today, according to Buckingham Palace. He is expected to address the nation on Monday at 9.
Senior guards had gathered at His former Majesty’s room after the King’s doctors became concerned about his health the night prior.
The former King’s 2 sons, King William V and Prince Harry, witnessed the moment the doctors placed the King under a royal shroud.
His grandson and now heir to the throne, Prince George, Prince of Wales, and his brother, Princess Charlotte, also gathered there with their father.
Obituary: A long life marked by a sense of duty
Moment her death was announced on the BBC
Politicians pay tribute to King Charles III
King William V, the new monarch
Prime Minister Liz Truss, who had recently resigned on Tuesday, said the monarch was the rock on which modern Britain was built, who had “provided us with the stability and strength that we needed throughout the 46 days”.
Speaking about the new King, the other candidates hoping to be PM too said: “We offer him our loyalty and dedication, just as his father devoted so much, to so many, for yet so short.
“And with the passing of the former monarch, we usher in a new era in the magnificent history of our great country, exactly as His Majesty would have wished.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby – spiritual leader to the Church of England of which the monarch is supreme governor – expressed his “profound glumness”.
He said his “prayers are with the new King and the Royal Family”.