The Duke and Duchess of Clarence

Chapter Two: The Accession Council

10th of September 2022 - St James's Palace

It was first official recognition that a new king had ascended to the throne, it would be the first time that the proceedings would be filmed rather than just people seeing what happened on the balcony outside. 

Outside Buckingham Palace tributes continued to be laid for the late Queen, people traveling from all over the world to pay their respects and to be a part of this historic moment. 

From where she was stood with William and Camilla, Adeline could hear the quiet chatter of those that had been summoned to see her father sworn in as it wear as the new monarch despite the transfer of power happening upon the late Queen's immediate death. 

Even though all 700 members of the Privy Council were eligible to attend the Accession Council, only 200 were summoned due to limitations of space. 

It was really a meeting of the people that run the country and that had done so, they were all dressed in mourning as they waited for the ceremony to begin. 

Finally the ceremony began with a single file line of people entering the room including the archbishop of Canterbury and the new Prime Minister who had only been in place for a matter of day by this point. 

Camilla was followed by her step-children as they made their way into the room and up onto the small stage that had been set up for this monumental moment in history that had never been seen by the public before. 

Camilla, William and Adeline stood together as Penny Mordaunt, the lord president took to the podium to address the crowd that had been summoned on this day. 

"The business of part one of the council. My lords it is my sad duty to inform you that her most gracious majesty Queen Elizabeth II has passed away on Thursday the 8th of September 2022 at Balmoral Castle," Penny Mordaunt announced to the room, the room silent with not a word whispered as she glanced down at her notes before continuing on. 

"I propose that when certain necessary business has been transacted a deputation consisting of Her Majesty, Their Royal Highnesses, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of York, the Prime Minister, the clerk of the council and myself shall await on the king and inform him the council is assembled," Penny Mordaunt stated, no nerves with in her voice as she continued on with her duty which saw her as the first woman to do so in history.

"I now call upon the clerk council to read aloud the text of the proclamation," Penny finished before taking her notes and moving away from the podium so that the clerk could approach; he put on his glasses as he made his approach, his own notes in hand. 

"Whereas it has pleased almighty god to call to his mercy our late sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth II of blessed and glorious memory by whose decease the crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George," the man said, his eyes cast down more than Penny's had since there had not been enough time for him to learn his lines. 

"We, therefore, the lords spiritual and temporal of the realm and members of the house of commons, together with other members of her late majesty's privy council and representatives of the realms and territories, alderman and citizens of London and others do now hereby with one voice of consent of tongue and heart publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now by the death of our late sovereign of happy memory become our only lawful and rightful liege lord," the clerk read, his words quick as he read through the text that he had to read. 

"Charles III by the grace of god of the United Kingdom of great Britain and Northern Ireland and of his other realms and territories king. Head of the Commonwealth. Defender of the Faith to whom we do acknowledge all faith and obedience with humble affection beseeching god by whom kings and queens do reign to bless his majesty with long and happy years to reign over us," the clerk paused licking his lips as he looked up properly for the first time, knowing that his next words had not been heard in seventy years.