Crown – The Promise of Lifelong Devoted Service

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King Charles gave Prince William a fresh title in his maiden speech as monarch. In his address to the UK yesterday, King Charles III, in his first as monarch, said, “That pledge of lifelong service — I revive to all today.” The speech came two days after the demise of Queen Elizabeth II, his mother.

“All through her life, Her Majesty The Queen — my dearest mother — was a motivation and illustration to me and all my family. We owe her the most genuine obligation any family can owe to their mother — for her guidance, love, affection, understanding, and representation,” Charles said. “Queen Elizabeth led a life well lived — a commitment with fortune, and she is grieved most fervently in her passing.”

King Charles also conferred the title of Prince of Wales to his son William and the title of Princess of Wales to his daughter-in-law Catherine.

“Today, I’m delighted to establish him as Prince of Wales, the title I have been so vastly entitled to assume during so much of my life and responsibility. I know, with Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will proceed to enlighten and direct our nationwide discussions, assisting to bring the borderline to the middle ground where crucial aid can be donated,” he said.

Catherine will be the first individual to carry the title since the passing away of William’s mother, Princess Diana. The couple has also been bestowed the title of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.

King Charles also shared a brief statement for his son Prince Harry and daughter-in-law Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex: “I also want to convey my affection for Harry and Meghan as they persist to carve their lives overseas.”

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Crown – The Promise of Lifelong Service

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II commenced her rule in 1952, five years after India achieved Independence from the huge colonial dynasty she ran. The British monarch, who departed on Thursday passing the crown to their son Charles, was known to nourish a unique admiration for India. 

This friendship was boosted by her proximity to Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, and her husband Prince Philip’s maternal uncle who guided his nephew into the British royal lineage.

The Queen prevailed as the only female member of the Royal Family to have joined the armed forces, as a mechanic, and was the only living head of state who served in World War II.

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King Charles shook hands with some of the thousands of well-wishers gathered outside Buckingham Palace as he returned to London after visiting the Balmoral estate in the Scottish Highlands where the Queen breathed her last. 

Britain’s new king, Charles III, said on Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II was a “Much-loved mother and a cherished monarch” who would be remembered around the world. The full statement was published by Buckingham Palace after Charles, 73, rose to the throne following his mother’s 70-year rule. 

“The loss of my beloved mother, her Majesty the queen, is a period of the greatest sorrow for me and all members of my family. We grieve deeply the passing of an admired monarch and a much-loved mother. I know her death will be genuinely felt all over the country, the territories, and the Commonwealth, and by innumerable communities around the world.” 

“During this moment of funeral and transformation, my family and I will be calmed and upheld by our understanding of the loyalty and deep fondness in which the queen was so broadly held.”

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Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden paid homage to the late Queen Elizabeth II as a “stateswoman of unparalleled stature,” and said he looked forward to serving with her son King Charles, observing their already “close friendship.” Biden authorized flags at the White House and other federal buildings to be dropped off in half. 

He also attended the British embassy in Washington to sign a consolation book for the queen. “Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched prestige and endurance who heightened the bedrock coalition between the United Kingdom and the United States,” Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said in a testimony. “She enabled us to make our association special.”

At the embassy, Biden told the personnel the late Queen was “an outstanding lady” and that he was “so fascinated I got to meet her last year.” Biden, 79, illustrated deep ties between the majesty and the United States, a former British colony. “She showed her support for the United States during our darkest days after 9/11 when she poignantly recalled to us that ‘Grief is the cost we pay for love,’” Biden said in his affidavit.

The five living former US presidents — Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump — together with their wives all handed out their statements, paying homage to the late Queen. Setting aside their political differences, now as intense as ever in America, the former US leaders were unified in their respect for the Queen, applauding her memorable heritage as well as her qualities.

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After the demise of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage and said that she will be known as the stalwart of our period. He also said that she gave inspiring direction to her nation and people and exemplified dignity and morality in public life. His feelings are with her family and the people of the UK in this grim hour.

(Image: Twitter/@narendramodi)

In another tweet, PM Modi put it, “I had unforgettable meetings with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during my UK stays in 2015 and 2018. I will never miss her affection and compassion. During one of the meetings, she displayed to me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her at her marriage. I will always admire that gesture.”

Paying due respect to Queen Elizabeth II, today on 11th September PM Narendra Modi’s government has decided that there will be state mourning nationwide. A statement has been issued for all the state buildings all over the country, wherever the national flag is hoisted, and the flags will be lowered to half as a mark of respect. And no entertainment programs will be organized there today.

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-Shashi Thakur

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