Accession Council of King Charles III

Part 1

At Part I, a meeting of the Privy Council (and other invited guests) was held without The King present. This began with the Lord President (at the time, the Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP) announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the succession of King Charles III. The Clerk of the Council then read the Accession Proclamation to those assembled.

Following this, the Privy Council then approved a number of Orders, mainly relating to the Proclamation; and the firing of Guns. (These can be viewed below)

Part II

This was the holding of The King of his first Privy Council meeting, whch began with a personal declaration from His Majesty:

The King then made the Oath relating to the security of the Church of Scotland, as required by provisions of the Union with Scotland Act 1706 and the Union with England Act 1707.

Two identical Instruments recording the taking of the Oath were then signed by The King and key witnesses.

At the completion of the signing, The King approved the remaining items on the List of Business. These Orders, mainly concerning the use of the Seals of Office, facilitated the continuity of government.

Attendees then signed the Accession Proclamation as they departed St James’s Palace.

The official record of proceedings at the Accession Council was published in a special supplement to the London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes.

After the Accession Council, Garter King of Arms read the Proclamation, from the Balcony above Friary Court at St James’s Palace.