Australia has proclaimed the ascension of King Charles III, with hundreds of people lining the forecourt and streets around Parliament House to watch the formal ceremony on Sunday.
The federal executive council, which performs functions similar to that of the privy council in the United Kingdom and is made up of the ministers of government and the governor general, met on Sunday in Government House, where the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, recommended the ascension to the governor general, David Hurley.
Albanese said there had been “an outpouring of grief” after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“Queen Elizabeth’s own words, that grief is the price we pay for love, is I think a fitting statement on how so many Australians are feeling at this time,” he said.
“Today, we mark formally the new head of state in King Charles III and in the proclamation, the first in my lifetime and the first in a majority of Australian’s lifetime, is an historic event.”
Hurley said Queen Elizabeth’s passing was the end of an era, and the meeting of the federal executive council to proclaim her successor as king of Australia was “a weighty responsibility”.
“Australia is an unfinished product. It is now entering a new era. Your loyalty to our King and your service to Australia through your work in the parliament will assist our country to build on the successes of the second Elizabethan age.”
The ceremony outside Parliament House included the national anthem and a welcome to country. After Hurley’s proclamation of King Charles III, there was a performance of God Save The King, followed by an Indigenous spiritual dance, and a 21-gun salute.
MPs and senators from across the political divide watched the proceedings, while large crowds also gathered to witness the proclamation, with some attendees waiting for more than an hour.
State proclamation ceremonies the took place across the country after the event in Canberra.
The flags outside Parliament House, which have been at half mast to mark the Queen’s death, returned to full mast where they will remain until after dusk.
Earlier on Sunday the prime minister declared Thursday 22 September a public holiday as the national day of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II.
The selection of the day is part of the protocol for the mourning period, as it is the day after Hurley and Albanese will return from memorial services in the United Kingdom.
The prime minister and governor general will leave for London this coming Thursday evening, and Australia is offering support for Pacific island nations with ties to the Commonwealth to be able to travel to London for the services.
Albanese said the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II will be changed in his office to King Charles III.
Since the Queen’s death, more than 13,700 condolences have been made online on government websites, while many more people have left floral and other tributes at government houses in Canberra and state capitals.
Australian Associated Press contributed to this report
