King Charles III praises late queen as he is proclaimed the new British monarch

King Charles III delivers his address from Buckingham Palace, London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II (PA)

King Charles III paid tribute to the reign of the late British queen, “unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion”, as he was formally declared the nation’s new monarch.

During a poignant and sombre meeting of the Accession Council, the king spoke movingly about his mother and the grief his family is experiencing, but said the “sympathy expressed by so many to my sister and brothers” had been the “greatest consolation”.