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Status: 09/09/2022 07:43 a.m
It sounds simple: when a British monarch dies, his successor follows him directly to the throne. But the steps for the new king are more complicated. And what will change for Camilla and Charles’ sons and grandchildren? An overview.
Charles III
The rules of the British monarchy state that “a new sovereign succeeds to the throne on the death of his or her predecessor”. This means that the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, who died yesterday, Prince Charles, became king immediately after her death. He bears the name of Charles III.
It could be a few months before the 73-year-old is officially crowned. Elizabeth was crowned on June 2, 1953 – 16 months after her accession to the throne on February 6, 1952.
Charles and the Queen in June of this year: months can pass before his coronation.
Image: REUTERS
Expectedly within 24 hours of the death of a monarch, the new sovereign will be formally proclaimed by the Council for the Accession to the Throne at St James’s Palace in London. The Council consists of representatives of the Privy Council, which is made up of senior cabinet members, magistrates and senior Church of England officials. Then Parliament is convened to swear allegiance to the new monarch.
The proclamation of the new sovereign will then be read publicly at St James’s Palace in London, as well as in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast – the capitals of the four parts that make up the United Kingdom.
Charles must assure Parliament on the first day of Parliament, upon his accession, or at the coronation, whichever comes first, that he is a devout Protestant. This oath is prescribed by a law from 1910. In addition, he must swear a coronation oath, as stipulated by laws from 1689, 1701 and 1910.
The Queen settled Camilla’s official title earlier this year. (Photo dated June 18, 2013).
Image: AP
Camilla, the “Queen Consort”
Charles’ wife Camilla now bears the title “Queen Consort”. Elizabeth II had arranged that this year. This is her “sincere wish,” Elizabeth II announced on February 6, one day before her 70th jubilee.
Changes in the line of succession
Charles’ eldest son, Prince William, becomes heir apparent upon the Queen’s death. The titles of the 40-year-old and his wife Kate have been extended: instead of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, they are now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall.
William’s children, 9-year-old Prince George, 7-year-old Princess Charlotte and 4-year-old Prince Louis, now occupy second through fourth place in the line of succession.
Behind them is William’s younger brother Prince Harry, although he has left the front row with his wife Meghan and lives with her in California. Their two children, 3-year-old Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and 1-year-old Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, are next in line to the throne.
Only if William and Harry and their descendants were all ineligible for succession to the throne would Charles’ younger brother Prince Andrew, his daughters and grandchildren, then Charles’ and Andrew’s brother Prince Edward and his descendants, and then the Queen’s daughter Princess Anne and hers offspring’s turn.