Charles III to be proclaimed King in Australia after The Queen’s death

King Charles III has been officially proclaimed as Australia’s new sovereign following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Governor-General David Hurley made the proclamation at midday outside Parliament House at Canberra on Sunday. 

‘Whereas because of the death of our pleasant and glorious Queen Elizabeth II, the Crown has solely and rightfully come to Prince Charles Philip Arthur George,’ he said.

‘This 11th day of September, 2022, and in the first year of his Majesty’s reign, signed by me as Governor-General and countersigned by my command, by the honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.

‘God save the King.’

The proclamation ceremony began with a procession of the Australian Defence Force followed by a welcome to country.

Following the proclamation, God Save the King was played, with flags raised to full mast.

An Indigenous spiritual dance then followed before a 21-gun salute rang out across the capital.

MPs and senators from across the political divide were also in attendance to watch the ceremonial proceedings.

Large crowds also gathered outside Parliament House to witness the proclamation, with some attendees waiting for more than an hour.

Mr Albanese recommended Mr Hurley make the proclamation during a meeting of the Executive Council at Government House at 11am. 

‘Queen Elizabeth was admired for her devotion to duty, for her commitment to the people of the United Kingdom, to the people of the Commonwealth including Australia and indeed to the world,’ he said. 

‘Today, we mark formally the new head of state in King Charles III and the proclamation, the first in my lifetime and the first in a majority of Australians’ lifetime, is an historic event.’ 

Mr Hurley said the council would build on the work done in the ‘second Elizabethan age’. 

‘Australia is an unfinished product, and is now entering a new era,’ he said.

‘Your loyalty to our King and your service to Australia through your work in the parliament will assist our country to build on the successes of the second Elizabethan age.’

State governors will make their own proclamations at ceremonies around the country.

The Sydney Opera House sails will continue to be illuminated in the Queen’s honour, as are other landmarks.

On Saturday, Mr Albanese, Mr Hurley, and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton laid wreaths to honour The Queen at Parliament House in Canberra.

‘She was a constant reassuring presence,’ Mr Albanese said.

The prime minister and Governor-General Hurley will travel to London on Thursday to attend the funeral at Westminster Abbey.

It will take place on September 19 at 8pm AEST.

Before then, The Queen’s coffin will be driven from Balmoral Castle to Scotland’s capital Edinburgh and be flown to London later in the week.

It will remain at Buckingham Palace before being taken to Westminster Hall to lie in state for four days, allowing the public to pay their respects.

While no formal mourning period has been declared – unlike the UK, which has set aside 10 days – Australians continued to publicly mourn on Saturday.

Sandra Alexandridis burst into tears outside Melbourne’s makeshift memorial while remembering The Queen.

‘She was a rock of society… it’s like you’ve lost your grandmother,’ she told AAP.

Warren Fairfax, 82, visited Government House in Sydney on Saturday, 65 years after receiving a Queen’s Scout award there signed by her.

‘I wanted to come back and just pay respects to her… I just wanted to do that today,’ Mr Fairfax told AAP.