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King Charles proclaimed monarch of Australia, New Zealand

The British monarch is the head of state in Australia and New Zealand, a role that is largely ceremonial.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during a Proclamation of Accession ceremony for Britain's King Charles III at the Parliament in Wellington on September 11, 2022
New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during a Proclamation of Accession ceremony for Britain's King Charles III at the parliament in Wellington [Andrew Turner/ AFP]
Published On 11 Sep 2022

King Charles III has been officially proclaimed head of state of both Australia and New Zealand at ceremonies in the nations’ capitals.

In New Zealand on Sunday, the proclamation of Charles as monarch, taking over from Queen Elizabeth II who died aged 96, took place in the parliament in Wellington.

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Speaking from parliament’s steps, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the event acknowledged the queen’s son, “His Majesty King Charles III as our sovereign”.

Ardern told a crowd that in the wake of the queen’s death, New Zealand had entered a time of change.

“King Charles … has consistently demonstrated his deep care for our nation,” she said. “This relationship is deeply valued by our people. I have no doubt it will deepen.”

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (R) and Governor-General David Hurley (L) attend a Proclamation of Accession ceremony for Britain's King Charles III at Parliament House in Canberra on September 11, 2022.
Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese, right, and Governor-General David Hurley, left, attend a Proclamation of Accession ceremony for Britain’s King Charles III at Parliament House in Canberra [Mick Tsikas/ AFP]
Members of the Australian Defence Force conduct a 21 gun salute during a Proclamation of Accession ceremony for Britain's King Charles III at Parliament House in Canberra on September 11, 2022.
Members of the Australian Defence Force conduct a 21-gun salute during a Proclamation of Accession ceremony for Britain’s King Charles III at Parliament House in Canberra [Gary Ramage/ AFP]

In Australia, Governor-General David Hurley, the British monarch’s representative in Australia, proclaimed King Charles as head of state at Parliament House in Canberra.

The proclamation was marked by a 21-gun salute.

The British monarch is the head of state in Australia as well as New Zealand, among 14 realms outside the United Kingdom, a role that is largely ceremonial.

Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a national day of mourning for the queen would take place on September 22, with the day to be a public holiday.

Albanese said he would travel to London on Thursday, attend the queen’s funeral on September 19 then return to Australia on September 21.

“Then the national day of mourning and the memorial service is set to be the day after,” he told ABC television.

“That’s to allow people to pay their respects for the passing of Queen Elizabeth,” the prime minister said.

Albanese said Australia had offered to fly 10 of his Pacific Island counterparts and New Zealand dignitaries to the UK for the queen’s funeral.

Asked about how Australians would view the new monarch, Albanese said King Charles would have to “forge his own path”.

As a mark of respect, national flags in Australia are at half staff, parliament has been suspended and a large portrait of the queen was projected on the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

Source: Reuters