When will King Charles III be proclaimed king? What you need to know about the Membership Council

While Prince Charles immediately became King Charles III after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, there are still a few steps to go before he is officially crowned.

Queen Elizabeth had her coronation more than a year after becoming monarch. Her father died in February 1952 and, due to an ancient common law rule in the country enacted to ensure the UK was never without a monarch, she became queen immediately.

His coronation, however, did not take place until June 1953. And while it may be assumed that King Charles III will not have his coronation for a few months, formal steps are already being taken to formalize his role.

One of those steps is the Membership Council and Major Proclamation, which is due to take place on Saturday.

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Here’s everything you need to know about what to expect.

What is the Membership Council?

The Accession Council is a meeting of the Privy Councillors, Grand Officers of State, Lord Mayor of London, High Commissioners of the Realm and senior officials and only occurs on the death of a monarch.

The purpose of the meeting is to make the formal proclamation that the heir to the throne becomes the next monarch of the country. It is usually divided into two parts.

The meeting is taking place at St. James’s Palace in London and will be televised for the first time in history this year. It will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. London time.

Part 1

Prince William and Queen Consort Camilla will be present for the first half of the Membership Council meeting. They are both members of the Privy Council.
(Getty Images)

The first half of the membership meeting takes place without the presence of the new king or queen. This is where the Accession Proclamation, or Principal Proclamation, is read, proclaiming the new monarch as sovereign.

Queen Elizabeth II’s proclamation stated, in part, « We, therefore, the spiritual and temporal lords of this realm, being here assisted by Her late Majesty’s Privy Council, with representatives of other members of the Commonwealth, with other leading gentlemen of quality, with the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of London, do now hereby, with one voice and with consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that the high and mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary is now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, to become Queen Elizabeth II. »

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This proclamation is traditionally the first time the public learns what the new ruler will be called. However, Clarence House has already revealed that Charles will be referred to as King Charles III.

After the proclamation is read, it is signed by the Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor, Lord Privy Seal, Earl Marshal, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and any member of the Royal Family who is also part of the Privy Council. In this case, Prince William and Queen Consort Camilla will also be included. All those who sign are members of the “platform party”.

Part 2

King Charles III is due to attend the second half of the Accession Council meeting, where he will make a statement on his mother’s death and take the Scottish oath.
(Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

After the reading and signing of the initial proclamation, the first part of the meeting ends and the second part begins almost immediately. The new monarch must attend the second half of the council, which acts as his first privy council meeting as sovereign, and is only attended by the privy councillors.

Just as the Queen read a statement on her father’s death, King Charles III will also make a statement on his mother’s death during this part of the meeting. His speech will be followed by the reading of the Scottish Oath, which every monarch has read since 1714.

The oath is a recognition of the separation of the country between Church and State.

Once the oath is taken, the monarch signs two separate documents ensuring the recitation of the oath. Each councilor then signs the proclamation and leaves. The proclamation is then taken to the balcony above Friary Court at St. James’s Palace, where it is read by the Garter King of Arms, who will be accompanied by the Earl Marshal, officers and sergeants.

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As the proclamation introducing King Charles is read to the public, all flags will revert to flying at full staff, returning to half staff out of respect and mourning for the Queen as soon as the reading ends in London, Scotland, Ireland North and Wales.