On the death of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday, the former Prince of Wales has automatically become Britain’s next sovereign. But the process of his coronation and the national mourning that preceded it has only just begun.
The UK has officially entered a period of national mourning that will last until the Queen’s state funeral in about 10 days. During that time, several ceremonial events take place, including the official coronation of King Charles III. He will be officially declared the new monarch at St James’s Palace on Saturday. The British Parliament and its decentralized administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are now officially adjourned, but MPs will meet in the House of Commons on Friday and Saturday to pay their respects to the Queen. Flags are hoisted at half mast. Official UK government guidance on Friday said there is no obligation to cancel or postpone major events during the period of mourning, but many are already doing so.
