The Queen’s funeral was held at Westminster Abbey on Monday September 19 and reunited the royal family in a warm farewell to the late monarch.
The day recognized the Queen’s “extraordinary reign and Her Majesty’s distinguished life of service as Head of State, Nation and Commonwealth,” according to the Royal Family’s official website.
Before the service and in the midst of the national mourning for Her Majesty, King Charles III. his first televised address to the nation as the new monarch. Back then, he paid tribute to his children and their spouses, and hinted at what the future holds for them, himself and Camilla.
“This is also a time of change for my family,” he began. “I count on the loving help of my beloved wife, Camilla, in recognition of her own faithful public service since our marriage 17 years ago. She will be my Queen Consort. I know she will meet the demands of her new role with the unwavering commitment to duty that I rely on so much.”
Referring to Prince William and Kate Middleton, he said: “As my heir, William assumes the Scottish titles that have meant so much to me, he succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and assumes responsibility for the Duchy of Cornwall, which I have held since.” more than five decades. ‘
He added: “With Catherine by his side, I know our new Prince and Princess of Wales will continue to inspire and lead our national conversations and help put the Marshal at the center where vital aid can be given. “
The royal also said of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: “I would also like to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives abroad.”
With the Queen’s state funeral now over and mourners looking forward to the King’s coronation, the royal family’s plans for the coming days and months are as follows:
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live in Montecito, California, first flew to the UK on September 3 for a series of public engagements including the WellChild Awards and the One Young World Summit.
Of course, Her Majesty’s death was unexpected days after her arrival. As a result, the Duchess canceled high-profile performances, including a gala to celebrate diversity the new issue of Power of Women magazine, for which Markle was the cover star (the event was postponed out of respect for the Queen).
Now the couple have reportedly left the UK and flown to London Heathrow on Tuesday September 20.
The couple will now be reunited with their two children, Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, who stayed in the US while last week’s unfortunate events unfolded.
During their extended stay in the UK, Prince Harry and Markle met many members of the royal family, including their in-laws, Prince William and Middleton.
Both couples surprised mourners on September 10 at Windsor Castle as they viewed the tributes left by members of the public for the Queen.
Prince William and Kate Middleton (the new Prince and Princess of Wales)
As Prince William adjusts to his new title of Prince of Wales, which formerly belonged to his father – the newly appointed King Charles III – the 40-year-old and his wife are also settling into their new Windsor home, Adelaide Cottage.
Following his grandmother’s funeral, the prince shared a heartfelt, recorded message on Wednesday, September 21, about the cancellation of his appearance at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York City.
The father-of-four and heir apparent to the throne said: “While it is the saddest of circumstances that mean I am unable to meet you in person today, I am delighted to welcome you in video form to your gathering in New York for the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit.
“During this time of sadness, I am very comfortable in your continued enthusiasm, optimism and commitment to the Earthshot Prize and what we are trying to achieve.”
In honor of the late Queen, he continued: “Protecting the environment was close to my grandmother’s heart and I know she would have loved to hear about this event and the support you all give to our Earthshot finalists – the next generation by environmentalists – give pioneers.’
He shared his message ahead of the Earthshot Prize finale, scheduled for December. The Prince and Princess of Wales will visit Boston to announce the second annual cohort of Earthshot Prize winners.
He concluded his speech by saying that he and Middleton are “very excited to be coming to Boston in December,” adding, “We look forward to seeing you all very soon.”
The Earthshot Prize is a global environmental award to incentivize change and help fix our planet over the next 10 years.
Prince William and Middleton, who above all want their children – Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4 – to live as normal lives as possible, welcomed their trio to Lambrook School in the U.S. earlier this summer Enrolled near Ascot in Berkshire.
King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort
The date of King Charles’ coronation has yet to be announced, but royal biographer Hugo Vickers, author of biographies for many 20th-century figures including the Queen Mother, said we should know a date soon.
Speaking of on ITV Good morning Britain On Tuesday, September 20, Vickers said he expects it to take place in the spring or summer of next year
He is also predicted that the king will introduce a “slimmed-down” monarchy, meaning there could be fewer working members of the royal family. Prince Harry and Markle stepped down as senior family members in March 2020.
According to Vickers, the newly appointed monarch’s coronation should be shorter and smaller than that of the Queen in 1953.
“The King is acutely aware of the struggles of modern Britain and will see to it that his wishes are carried out, that his coronation ceremony, while proper and true to the long-cherished traditions of the past, should also be representative of a monarchy in a modern age world,” a source told the news outlet.
It is also believed that his ceremony will be “shorter, earlier, smaller, less expensive and more representative of different community groups and faiths”.
Additionally, the guest list could be capped at 2,000 people, with Commonwealth leaders and a range of religions “priority in the community”.
According to the telegraphThe king is also expected to visit France for his first overseas voyage as sovereign, and rather than visit one of the Commonwealth countries, it is likely he will travel to Paris on a tour “as early as next month”.
Monarchs usually make state trips to visit members of the Commonwealth.
However, the Queen has struggled to travel in the final years of her 70-year reign as the monarch has not made any state visits for the past seven years.
The visit to France will allow the king to work on a major tree planting program in Africa to help fight climate change. The Great Green Wall project, which focuses on planting trees across 30 miles of the African continent, could also be implemented during his visit.
Plans for the King’s overseas visit have not been confirmed, but it has been reported that he will visit a neighboring country before a long-haul trip to a Commonwealth country.
At the time of the Queen’s death, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote: “The United Kingdom will forever bear the seal of what she has embodied with unwavering strength and moral authority for seventy years. France pays tribute to her who has marked the history of her country, our continent and her century.”
He added: “She had a special status in France and a special place in the heart of the French people. No foreign sovereign has climbed the stairs of the Elysée Palace more times than she, who has honored France with six state visits and met each of its presidents. To them, French was not a mere relic of Norman descent enduring in so many customs, but a familiar, treasured language.
“The Queen of the Sixteen Kingdoms loved France, which loved her back. Tonight the people of the UK and Commonwealth mourn their Queen. The people of France join them in their grief.’
King Charles and Camilla flew to Scotland the day after the Queen’s funeral.
The royal family will remain in mourning for a week after the funeral, honoring the king’s wish, which he expressed shortly after her death. Members of the royal household staff, associated representatives and troops with ceremonial duties will honor this period of mourning, which is due to end on September 26, Buckingham Palace has said.