Tag: King Charles III

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King Charles’ France visit postponed

The Buckingham Palace said the decision to postpone the visit by the King and Queen Consort Camilla was due to the “situation in France

Amid ongoing protests across France against the government’s decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, an upcoming three-day visit by the UK’s King Charles III to Paris has been postponed at the suggestion of French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a statement on Friday, the Buckingham Palace said the decision to postpone the visit by the King and Queen Consort Camilla was due to the “situation in France”, reports the BBC.

“Their Majesties greatly look forward to the opportunity to visit France as soon as dates can be found,” the statement added.

The trip to Paris and Bordeaux was due to begin on Sunday.

On Thursday, the two cities witnessed some of the worst violence since the anti-government demonstrations began in January.

While suggesting to postpone the visit, Macron said that from the moment on Thursday night when the labour unions announced a 10th national day of action for March 28, he felt it would be inappropriate for the British Royals to travel to France.

“As we have considerable friendship, respect and esteem for His Majesty and the Queen Consort and the British people, I took the initiative this morning to call (the King) and explain the situation… Common sense and friendship led us to suggest a postponement,” the BBC quoted the French President as saying in a statement.

Protests against reform bill in France.

Macron further said that his country has proposed moving the trip to early summer, “when things calm down again”.

The UK government also added the decision had been “taken with the consent of all parties”.

Several French cities saw violence on the sidelines of Thursday’s largely peaceful demonstrations that attracted more than a million people, reports the BBC.

While the entrance to the town hall in Bordeaux was set alight, in Paris, tear gas was fired.

According to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, 903 fires were lit in Paris where garbage has been left uncollected since March 6.

Hundreds of police officers were hurt across France, but protesters were injured by stun grenades and the Council of Europe said there was no justification for “excessive force” by authorities.

The trip by King Charles was deemed to be a hugely important one as it would a first state visit since he became the monarch, and as well as to one of the UK’s closest and oldest allies.

The King and Camilla were due to ride along the Champs-Elysees in the heart of Paris and have a banquet at Versailles with President Macron.

Camilla was expected to open an art exhibition at one of the main Paris attractions, the Musee d’Orsay.

They were then expected to head to Bordeaux.

The King and Camilla were due to travel from France to Germany on March 29.

Charles’s first state visit will instead begin in Berlin.

ALSO READ: Camilla’s title to be changed after King Charles’ coronation

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Designer Jony Ive creates King Charles III coronation logo

Jony Ive has designed the logo with his creative collective, LoveFrom, which was founded by him in 2019…reports Asian Lite News

The Royal Family of Britain has revealed the new emblem for the coronation of King Charles III, which is designed by the ex-Apple chief designer Jony Ive.

“The new Coronation emblem has been unveiled! The emblem will feature throughout the historic events in May, including street parties, community gatherings and on official merchandise,” tweeted The Royal Family.

Jony Ive is a renowned Apple designer known for his innovative designs of Apple products, including the iPhone. He worked with the tech giant for years and left Apple in 2019.

“It is such an honour to be able to contribute to this remarkable national occasion, and our team is so very proud of this work,” Ive said in a statement about the emblem.

“The emblem speaks to the happy optimism of spring and celebrates the beginning of this new Carolean era for the United Kingdom. The gentle modesty of these natural forms combines to define an emblem that acknowledges both the joyful and profound importance of this occasion,” he added.

Jony Ive has designed the logo with his creative collective, LoveFrom, which was founded by him in 2019.

Apart from the coronation emblem, the design firm also made the Seal of the Terra Carta, an initiative established by the then Prince of Wales.

The logo, also available in a Welsh-language version, is the latest detail to be revealed from the planned celebrations to mark the coronation, which will be held at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.

The day will include a carriage procession and traditional appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony, although it is still not known who will be attending – with no confirmation yet whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be there.

On Sunday 7 May there will be a music concert and light show at Windsor Castle, and this week a public ballot opened for the 10,000 free tickets on offer for the event.

There will be an extra bank holiday on Monday 8 May, with events highlighting the work of volunteers.

ALSO READ-UK warns against anti-India rhetoric

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Labour unveils national wealth fund plan

Keir Starmer with King Charles III (Twitter)

“Because conference, when I say I want to buy, make and sell more in Britain I mean it,” she will say, according to excerpts of her speech…reports Asian Lite News

Britain’s Labour Party will unveil on Monday its plans to set up a national wealth fund to invest in green projects which will benefit the public, part of the opposition party’s answer to the Conservative government’s tax-cutting approach.

At their annual conference, Labour lawmakers are sensing a change in their fortunes after a punishing loss at a 2019 election, feeling they can now offer a real choice to voters after the government announced a “growth plan” that handed tax cuts mostly to big business and the wealthiest.

The so-called mini-budget has opened up a divide between Prime Minister Liz Truss’s Conservatives and the Labour Party of Keir Starmer, who wants to use the years before an expected election in 2024 to prove his team is ready for power.

Rachel Reeves, Labour’s finance policy chief, will tell the conference in the northern English city of Liverpool the party wants to “build British industry” by using a national wealth fund similar to funds in Norway and Singapore, with an initial 8 billion pounds ($8.7 billion) earmarked for green projects.

“Because conference, when I say I want to buy, make and sell more in Britain I mean it,” she will say, according to excerpts of her speech.

“That is a real plan for growth,” she will say, taking aim at the “Growth Plan” presented by finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng on Friday, when Labour accused him of prioritising the wealthy over working people struggling with rising prices by turning to the discredited theory of “trickle-down economics”.

That plan has shifted the government to the right, handing Labour a chance to prove that it could run the economy efficiently but also help those on lower incomes and protect public services, a source close to the leadership said.

Kwarteng scrapped the country’s top rate of income tax and cancelled a planned rise in corporate taxes, all on top of a hugely expensive plan to subsidise energy bills for households and businesses, with little detail of how it would be paid for in the short term beyond increasing government debt.

In response, sterling fell by more than 3% to its lowest since 1985 against the U.S. dollar on Friday, and weakened against the euro and Japanese yen as well, while government bonds recorded their sharpest daily sell-off in decades.

On Sunday, Starmer pledged to reverse the abolition of the top rate of income tax and restore it to 45%, saying tax cuts for the wealthy would not spur growth.

Ed Miliband, Labour’s climate policy chief, said Labour’s plans would return jobs to Britain.

“This is about good jobs that pay well, with strong trade unions, and with money that flows back into the pockets of the British people.”

ALSO READ-Starmer sets out plan for economic growth

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Queen was with me at happiest and saddest times: William

Prince William termed the passing away of the Queen as an unreal day for him, reports Asian Lite News

William, the Prince of Wales, on Saturday wrote a heartfelt message over the demise of his “Grannie”, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Recalling the cherished memories with his grannie, Prince William expressed gratitude towards the Queen’s wisdom and reassurance. Prince also reminisced his grannie’s fond memories while thanking her for 20 years of guidance and support to the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton.

“While I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had 20 years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life.”

“On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign. I, however, have lost a grandmother,” he added.

He termed the passing away of the Queen as an unreal day for him. “I knew this day would come, but it will be sometime before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real,” the Prince of Wales tweeted.

“My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen. I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can.”

A portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II with the next three heirs — Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George — to the throne was released to mark the start of the new decade.

Prince William also admired the Queen for her life-long devotion and service to the nation. “I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all.”

After King Charles III took the throne as the new monarch of England on Saturday after his mother Queen Elizabeth II passed away, a second Proclamation following the principal proclamation was read in the City of London, at the Royal Exchange.

The second proclamation has been made at the Royal Exchange in London as thousands gathered to witness history in the making. State trumpeters sounded a fanfare, as crowds fell into silence to hear the announcement.

As is convention further Proclamations will be read in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales at 1200 hours the following day on Sunday, September 11. In recognition of the new Sovereign, flags are flown at full mast from the time of the Principal Proclamation at St James’s Palace until one hour after the Proclamations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, after which flags will return to half-mast in mourning for the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

King Charles III was proclaimed as the new monarch of England after his mother Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday. King Charles Philip Arthur George paid tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and spoke of the “great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty.”

“I am deeply aware of this great inheritance and of the duties and heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty which have now passed to me. In taking up these responsibilities, I shall strive to follow the inspiring example I have been set in upholding constitutional government and to seek the peace, harmony and prosperity of the peoples of these Islands and of the Commonwealth Realms and Territories throughout the world,” King said soon after being proclaimed Britain’s new monarch at the Accession Council at St James’s Palace in London.

Dressed in a formal black tuxedo, Charles, 73, has been proclaimed the new King of England. With the new development, his wife Camilla Parker Bowles will now be England’s Queen consort.

On Friday, Charles, the longest heir to the throne, and Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace in London and met mourners, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Buckingham Palace was swarmed with waves of mourners held back by barriers as Charles met the crowds.

The royal dignitary received a warm reception as he passed the crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace. Charles was offered bouquets of flowers and even a kiss on the cheek as he shook hands with those who had gathered to see him arrive.

He was by his mother’s side at her beloved Scottish Highlands home as her health deteriorated, and returned to the capital to hold his first audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Born on November 14, 1948, he was the first child of Elizabeth and Philip, then the princess and prince. At the age of 19, he formally became the Prince of Wales on July 1, 1969.

He married Lady Diana Spencer on July 29, 1981, and became the first royal heir since 1660 to marry an English woman. In August 1996, Diana and Charles went their separate ways and got legally divorced.

After Diana’s demise in a car accident, Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in April 2005. Soon, the couple got the royal title of Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. (ANI)

ALSO READ: King Charles vows ‘lifelong service’ as UK’s new monarch

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Charles III officially proclaimed Britain’s King

The Accession Council, a body made up of senior politicians, judges and officials, proclaimed him as the monarch in the State Apartments, reports Asian Lite News

For the first time in a televised ceremony, King Charles III was on Saturday officially proclaimed the new British monarch following the demise of his 96-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II who reigned for 70 years on the throne.

Charles, the Queen’s first born, became king immediately after her death on Thursday, but a historic meeting formally confirmed his role on Saturday during the ceremony at St James’s Palace, says the BBC.

The Accession Council, a body made up of senior politicians, judges and officials, proclaimed him as the monarch in the State Apartments.

Following the proclamation, the King formally announced the death of his “beloved mother, the Queen”.

“The whole world sympathises with me in the irreparable loss we’ve all suffered,” he said.

“My mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service. My mother’s reign was unequalled in its duration, dedication and devotion. Even as we grieve, we give thanks for this most faithful life.

“I am deeply aware of this deep inheritance and of the grave duties and responsibilities which are now passed to me,” the BBC quoted Charles as saying.

He then went on to thank Queen Consort Camilla, saying: “I am profoundly encouraged by the constant support of my beloved wife.”

Also in attendance at the ceremony were Prime Minister Liz Truss, and former premiers Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Theresa May, as well as Archbishop Justin Welby and Prince William.

Before Charles was named the King, the death of the Queen was formally announced.

The 200 or so people gathered in the room all then said ‘God save the King’ before documents were signed.

Flags that were lowered in mourning for the late Queen will fly full-mast for a short time.

A wave of further proclamations will take place across the UK until Sunday.

ALSO READ: King Charles vows ‘lifelong service’ as UK’s new monarch

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King Charles vows ‘lifelong service’ as UK’s new monarch

Photo taken on Sept. 9, 2022 shows screens displaying Britain's King Charles III addressing the nation and the Commonwealth in a televised speech in London, Britain. (Xinhua/Li Ying/IANS)

Seventy years later, the UK saw the first official rendition of the national anthem, ‘God Save the King’, since Charles became monarch, reports Asian Lite News

King Charles III has pledged “lifelong service” in his first address to the UK and the Commonwealth after assuming the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The televised speech was broadcast on Friday as a service to remember the late Queen, attended by senior politicians and 2,000 members of the public, which took place at the St Paul’s Cathedral, the BBC reported.

Seventy years later, the UK saw the first official rendition of the national anthem, ‘God Save the King’, since Charles became monarch.

In his televised address, 73-year-old said: “Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never waivered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss.

“Throughout her life, Her Majesty the Queen was an inspiration. Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”

The King and The Queen Consort have arrived at Buckingham Palace. Upon arrival, Their Majesties received a warm reception from members of the public who were paying their respects.

He said he felt “profound sorrow” over the death of his mother and that he shared the public’s “sense of loss beyond measure”, Xinhua news agency reported.

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch in history, died at Balmoral, Scotland, on Thursday, aged 96.

Charles, 73, will be officially proclaimed King at the Accession Council on Saturday in a ceremony held at St. James’s Palace in London.

Charles bestowed the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales on his eldest son William and daughter-in-law Kate — titles that he and his late wife Diana previously held.

He also expressed “love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas”.

Speaking about his wife of 17 years, Camilla, 75, who becomes the Queen Consort, he said: “I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.”

He acknowledged his life had now changed, saying: “It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply.

The King held an Audience at Buckingham Palace with the Prime Minister Liz Truss.

“But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.”

Looking ahead to the Queen’s funeral, the King expressed his hope that despite the sorrow felt around the nation and Commonwealth people would “remember and draw strength from the light of her example”.

He concluded: “And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you.

“Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May ‘flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest’.”