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The Telegraph
The Telegraph
National
Jack Maidment

King Charles addresses Parliament: I will follow Queen Elizabeth's 'example of selfless duty'

King Charles III addresses both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall this morning  - Ben Stansall/AFP
King Charles III addresses both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall this morning  - Ben Stansall/AFP

King Charles III today pledged to follow Queen Elizabeth II's example of "selfless duty" as he delivered an address to MPs and peers in Parliament's historic Westminster Hall. 

The King praised Parliament as the "living and breathing instrument of our democracy" after Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, and Lord McFall, the Lord Speaker, had both presented him with addresses of condolence. 

Addressing a hushed Westminster Hall, packed with senior figures from the UK's political class, the King said: "We gather today in remembrance of the remarkable span of the Queen's dedicated service to her nations and peoples.

"While very young her late Majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the precious principles of constitutional government which lie at the heart of our nation. 

"This vow she kept with unsurpassed devotion. She set an example of selfless duty which, with God's help and your counsels, I am resolved faithfully to follow."

Lord McFall had told the King that "we all now feel a sense of loss beyond measure" following the death of the Queen while Sir Lindsay said he was sure the monarch will serve the nation with "fortitude" and "dignity". 

​​Follow the latest updates below.

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