LONDON – Britain’s new king, Charles III, addressed the nation for the first time as reigning monarch Friday, praising what he said was the “sacrifice” and “unswerving devotion” of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
In a televised speech from Buckingham Palace, Charles pledged to “uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.” The United Kingdom began a period of national mourning for Elizabeth, who served as queen for more than 70 years and died peacefully at her estate in Scotland on Thursday.
Earlier, Charles and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, shook hands with well-wishers gathered in front of the palace. Bells rang and a gun salute of 96 rounds, one for each year of Elizabeth’s life, paid tribute to the country’s longest-serving monarch.
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