King Charles III, in his first address to Parliament, vowed to continue the Queen’s “dedicated service” to her people.
“The great bell of Big Ben, one of the most powerful symbols of our nation throughout the world, and housed within the Elizabeth Tower also named for my Mother’s jubilee, will mark the passage of the late Queen’s progress from Buckingham Palace to this Parliament on Wednesday,” Charles said in Westminster Hall. The Queen will lie in state for four days in the hall from Wednesday until her funeral next Monday.
“We gather today in remembrance of the remarkable span of the Queen’s dedicated service to her nations and people,” the King said.
“While very young her late Majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people.
“This vow she kept with unsurpassed devotion. She set an example of selfless duty which, with God’s help and your councils, I am resolved faithfully to follow,” Charles said.
As he concluded his short speech, a rendition of God Save the King, the British national anthem, was played.
