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King Charles III has spoken of his "darling Mama" and what he called her "last great journey to join my dear late Papa" - as he also pledged to serve his people "with loyalty, respect and love".
The King's moving and poignant speech was his first address to the nation since succeeding to the throne on Thursday immediately following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
His pre-recorded speech was broadcast at 18:00 on Friday and lasted around nine minutes. It was recorded earlier in the day in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace after he and Camilla, now the Queen Consort, travelled to London from Balmoral in Scotland, where he was with Queen Elizabeth II when she died.
The King made his address seated behind a desk next to a framed photograph of his mother, the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
“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 Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 9, 2022
His Majesty The King addresses the Nation and the Commonwealth. pic.twitter.com/xQXVW5PPQ2
WATCH: The King's first address as monarch in full.
Shortly after The King's address, the Palace unexpectedly released a video of his first audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss.
It is rare for the public to see video and audio footage from a meeting between the Head of State and his Prime Minister.
After the Prime Minister expressed "very, very sincere condolences", The King said to her: "It's the moment I've been dreading, as I know a lot of people have, but you try and keep everything going."
"The moment I've been dreading. Try and keep going."
— The Royal Family Channel (@RoyalFamilyITNP) September 9, 2022
King Charles met with Prime Minister Liz Truss for the first time on Friday.
The monarch also told the PM that the crowds that greeted him and the Queen consort as they arrived at Buckingham Palace were “so touching”. pic.twitter.com/bg04i7bEOF
WATCH: The King held his first audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday in her last public duty before her death.
The King began his address to the nation by speaking of his "feelings of profound sorrow".
"Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen - my beloved mother - was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example," said The King.
"Queen Elizabeth's 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.
"Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where the Queen was Head of State, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than 70 years in which my mother, as Queen, served the people of so many nations.
"In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples.
"That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty."
Pictured: King Charles III spoke movingly of Queen Elizabeth II's devotion to her subjects and her family.
The King went on to "pay tribute to my mother's memory and...honour her life of service".
"I know that her death brings great sadness to so many of you, and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure, with you all," he said.
"As The Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.
"And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life."
Pictured: The King's second wife, Camilla, becomes Queen Consort.
The King spoke of his reliance "on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla".
"In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my 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 then announced that he was making William, his eldest son and heir, Prince of Wales. William's wife, Catherine, becomes Princess of Wales, a title last used regularly by The King's first wife and William's late mother, Diana.
The King also spoke of his younger son, Harry, saying: "I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas."
Pictured: William and Catherine become Prince and Princess of Wales.
Concluding his address, The King said: "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'."
Pictured: The King spoke of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, being reunited with Prince Philip, her husband of 73 years, who died last year two months short of his 100th birthday.
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