King Charles III expresses ‘love’ for Prince Harry, Meghan Markle in first speech

In his inaugural statement, King Charles III denied an impending abdication and professed his affection for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

After a very taxing 24 hours that saw Queen Elizabeth II’s passing announced just before Harry’s plane touched down in Aberdeen, the 73-year-old made his first public broadcast as king of state to extend an olive branch to his younger son.

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“I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their life overseas,” he added.

On September 8, a flurry of royals, including Harry, Prince William, and Prince Andrew, hurried to Scotland in an effort to say farewell to the queen before her death.

King Charles and his sister Princess Anne were at her side as she passed away, but her other children and grandchildren could not make it.

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While other royals boarded a jet together, Harry and his staff were left to arrange their own transportation to Aberdeen Airport.

The Duke of Sussex was the first person to depart on Friday morning, taking a flight back to Windsor, where Newsweek reported he and Meghan will remain stationed until after the queen’s funeral.

No precise date has been established, but according to Charles, the ceremony will take place in a little more than a week.

Also read: Queen Elizabeth dead: Assassination attempts on her life

As Charles awarded his eldest son the title of Prince of Wales and reaffirmed the queen’s dedication to a life of service, he also ruled out an early transition to Prince William. In a decision that is expected to result in future references to Kate Middleton as Princess Catherine, she was also awarded Princess Diana’s title, Princess of Wales.

“Today I am proud to create him Prince of Wales. The country whose title I’ve been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty. With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where vital help can be given,” Charles said.

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“In a little over a week’s time we will come together as a nation as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example. On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolence and support,” he added.

“They mean more to me than I can ever express. 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 the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest,” he said, concluding his speech.