Charles III presents himself to the British people as the continuation of a neutral monarchy

Charles III, 73, is aware that his reign will be limited. During his first speech as King, he wanted to convey a message of calm continuity to the British people.

“As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.”

Charles III gave the recorded speech from Buckingham Palace, which will now be his residence.

“My life will change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energy to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others,” he clarified, to dispel any doubts about his neutrality. During his time as Prince of Wales, he was active on environmental issues.

Like his mother, the new monarch has expressed an absolute commitment to the values of the Church of England – of which he is now the head – and to the “traditions, freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our parliamentary system of government.” The time has come for the son of Elizabeth II to watch over the constitutional architecture of the United Kingdom, rather than its environment, at least publicly.

A large part of the nine-minute speech – read from behind a desk, with a portrait of Elizabeth II in the background – was dedicated to paying homage to the late monarch.

“Her dedication and devotion as sovereign never wavered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss.”

The expression of kindness and warmth towards the deceased monarch was also extended to his wife, the woman who brought much tranquility to Charles III’s demeanor:

“This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla. In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort. I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.”

Earlier this year, Elizabeth II expressed her wish that her daughter-in-law acquire the title of Queen Consort upon her passing, like the wives of other kings in the past. The turbulent years during which the Charles-Lady Di-Camilla love triangle turned much of the British public against the Duchess of Cornwall led many to assume that she would simply be known as “Princess Consort” upon the Queen’s passing. This, of course, has not come to pass – tradition triumphed in the end.

Charles III also put to rest rumors long-pedaled by the British media that his son, William – the most popular member of the House of Windsor, after the late Queen – would skip him in the line of succession.

“With Catherine [Kate Middleton] beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground, where vital help can be given.”

He also had warm words for the couple that has given the royal family the most headaches in recent years: “I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.” The careful phrasing indicates that they will not have substantial responsibilities in the House of Windsor.

After returning to London from Scotland, where Elizabeth II passed away, Charles and Camilla were greeted by thousands of people outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. The official Rolls Royce stopped for the King to feel the affection of his subjects.

Charles III did not stop giving thanks – almost looking astonished at discovering that he was loved by the people – while he shook hands, picked up bouquets of flowers and even allowed himself to be kissed on the cheek by a woman who had managed to carve out a niche for herself in the first row of onlookers.

At the end of so much excitement, the King went through the wrong door – his assistants had to redirect him.

Buckingham Palace has released photos of the first meeting between Charles III and Prime Minister Liz Truss. Just four days earlier, Elizabeth II had asked the Conservative Party leader to form a government.

“It was the moment that I had feared the most, like many other people,” the monarch told Truss in a brief exchange before the camera, referring to the passing of his mother and the end of an era.