King Charles is proclaimed monarch of Britain in a historic ceremony

King Charles was formally proclaimed Britain's new monarch at a ceremony at St James's Palace on Saturday, with former prime ministers, bishops and a host of politicians shouting "God Protect the King".

The death of 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth on Thursday after 70 years on the throne set in motion days of national mourning and well-choreographed plans for a state funeral in just over a week. Charles, 73, succeeded his mother immediately on Thursday, but on Saturday an Accession Council, including his son and heir William, his wife Camilla and Britain's new prime minister Liz Truss, convened to declare his succession. In a personal statement, Charles said: "I pray for Almighty God's guidance and help as I fulfill the heavy task that has been entrusted to me and to which I now dedicate the rest of my life." The proclamation was scheduled to be read publicly in other UK capitals - Edinburgh in Scotland, Belfast in Northern Ireland and Cardiff in Wales - and elsewhere. The death of Elizabeth, Britain's longest reigning monarch, has prompted an outpouring of condolences both at home and around the world. Landmarks were used to celebrate her life, with buildings in Europe, America and Africa lit up in the red, white and blue of the United Kingdom. In Britain, people began gathering outside the royal palaces in the early hours of Saturday morning, with thousands flocking to Buckingham Palace to pay their respects to the queen and Charles, who was crowned king at nearby St James's Palace. "It's a poignant time in our country's history," said design director Ian Bilboe, 54. "We are here to be part of it and to pay homage to both the late queen and the new king." Charles is king and head of state of the United Kingdom and 14 other kingdoms, including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Follow Global Economic Developments on Social Media! Click here to follow Ieconomy official Facebook account! Click here to follow Ieconomy official Instagram account! Click here to follow Ieconomy official Twitter account!