Prince Charles is the new King and head of state of the United Kingdom and 15 commonwealth nations following the death of his mother.
The former Prince of Wales automatically became the new monarch the moment Queen Elizabeth II died – but his coronation will likely not take place for many months.
Charles, 73, has been heir to the throne since 1952, four years after his birth at Buckingham Palace.
His former title, the Prince of Wales, will now likely be passed to his son, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, along with several other titles.
There have already been two King Charles’ in British history – with one of them ending up executed – and there are some question marks about what title the modern-day Charles will take.
The new monarch ascends to the throne as tributes pour in for his mother and her remarkable reign of more than 70 years.
King Charles said in a statement: ‘The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
Queen Elizabeth II dead: Key details
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died after 70 years on the throne, with her death announced by Buckingham Palace on September 8, 2022.
She died at the age of 96 surrounded by her family at her home in Balmoral, including her son and heir to the throne Charles, the Prince of Wales, and her grandsons, the Duke Of Cambridge, Prince William and the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry.
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‘We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
As praise for the late Queen echoes around the globe, Charles will join the UK in a period of mourning for her.
The new King had already lost his father, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, last year, when he died on April 9.
Charles, who is widely seen as less popular than his mother, is expected by some Royal observers to modify the direction of the monarchy.
He takes to the throne at a far later age than his mother did and with the public already aware of some of his personal opinions, which his mother was more guarded about.
Charles is also interested in religious understanding, architecture and alternative medicines.
But he is also known for his relationship with Princess Diana, the mother of William and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.
The pair did not enjoy a particularly happy marriage and divorced five years before she died in a 1997 car crash – 13 years before Charles married again, to Camilla, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Harry and William have since had five children between them, making Charles a grandfather to George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet.
The date for Charles’ coronation is yet to be set, but his mother was Queen for 16 months before her ceremony.
Elizabeth also passes on a symbolic figurehead status in 36 other nations to Charles.
It has been seven decades since a monarch died in the UK, meaning many of the traditional protocols now in motion will be seen for the first time by many people in the hours, days and weeks to come.
Support for the monarchy remains strong and Elizabeth’s personal popularity was high, but some royalists fear republican sentiment could grow following her death.
