I converse to you right now with emotions of profound sorrow. All through her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mom – was an inspiration and instance to me and to all my household, and we owe her probably the most heartfelt debt any household can owe to their mom; for her love, affection, steerage, understanding, and instance. Queen Elizabeth’s was a life properly lived; a promise with future saved and he or she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all right now.
Alongside the private grief that every one my household are feeling, we additionally share with so a lot of you in the UK, in all of the nations the place The Queen was Head of State, within the Commonwealth and internationally, a deep sense of gratitude for the greater than seventy years by which my Mom, as Queen, served the folks of so many countries. In 1947, on her twenty-first birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape City to the Commonwealth to commit her life, whether or not or not it’s quick or lengthy, to the service of her peoples. That was greater than a promise: it was a profound private dedication which outlined her entire life. She made sacrifices for obligation. Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign by no means wavered, via instances of change and progress, via instances of pleasure and celebration, and thru instances of unhappiness and loss. In her lifetime of service, we noticed that abiding love of custom, along with that fearless embrace of progress, which make us nice as Nations. The love, admiration, and respect she impressed turned the hallmark of her reign. And, as each member of my household can testify, she mixed these qualities with heat, humor, and an unerring potential all the time to see the very best in folks. I pay tribute to my Mom’s reminiscence and I honor her lifetime of service. I do know that her demise brings nice unhappiness to so a lot of you and I share that sense of loss, past measure, with you all.
When The Queen got here to the throne, Britain and the world had been nonetheless dealing with the privations and aftermath of the Second World Struggle, and nonetheless residing by the conventions of earlier instances. In the middle of the final seventy years we’ve seen our society turn out to be one in every of many cultures and many religions. The establishments of the State have modified in flip. However, via all adjustments and challenges, our nation and the broader household of Realms – of whose abilities, traditions and achievements I’m so inexpressibly proud – have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained, and should stay, fixed.
The function and the duties of Monarchy additionally stay, as does the Sovereign’s specific relationship and accountability in direction of the Church of England – the Church by which my very own religion is so deeply rooted. In that religion, and the values it evokes, I’ve been introduced as much as cherish a way of obligation to others, and to carry within the biggest respect the dear traditions, freedoms and tasks of our distinctive historical past and our system of parliamentary authorities. As The Queen herself did with such dependable devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, all through the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional rules on the coronary heart of our nation. And wherever it’s possible you’ll reside in the UK, or within the Realms and territories internationally, and no matter could also be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I’ve all through my life.
My life will in fact change as I take up my new tasks. It should now not be potential for me to offer a lot of my time and energies to the charities and points for which I care so deeply. However I do know this essential work will go on within the trusted arms of others.
That is additionally a time of change for my household. I depend on the loving assist of my darling spouse, Camilla. In recognition of her personal loyal public service since our marriage seventeen years in the past, she turns into my Queen Consort. I do know she is going to deliver to the calls for of her new function the steadfast devotion to obligation on which I’ve come to rely a lot. As my Inheritor, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant a lot to me. He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the tasks for the Duchy of Cornwall which I’ve undertaken for greater than 5 many years. Right this moment, I’m proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the nation whose title I’ve been so tremendously privileged to bear throughout a lot of my life and obligation. With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I do know, proceed to encourage and lead our nationwide conversations, serving to to deliver the marginal to the centre floor the place very important assist could be given. I would like additionally to specific my love for Harry and Meghan as they proceed to construct their lives abroad.
In a bit of over per week’s time, we’ll come collectively as a nation, as a Commonwealth and certainly a worldwide group, to put my beloved mom to relaxation. In our sorrow, allow us to bear in mind and draw energy from the sunshine of her instance. On behalf of all my household, I can solely provide probably the most honest and heartfelt thanks on your condolences and help. They imply extra to me than I can ever presumably categorical. And to my darling Mama, as you start your final nice journey to affix my pricey late Papa, I would like merely to say this: thanks. Thanks on your love and devotion to our household and to the household of countries you’ve served so diligently all these years. Might “flights of Angels sing thee to thy relaxation.”
