King Charles III releases statement ahead of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

King Charles III, the new monarch of the United Kingdom, has released a statement on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. The late monarch’s funeral is scheduled for Monday, September 19, 2022. In the statement he released on Sunday, the 73-year-old king said, “Over the last ten days, my wife and I have been so deeply touched by the many messages of condolence and support we have received from this country and across the world”.

The King added that he and his wife, the Queen Consort, were “moved beyond measure” by the people who came to pay their respects to the former monarch in “London, Edinburgh, Hillsborough and Cardiff”.

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“As we all prepare to say our last farewell, I wanted simply to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those countless people who have been such a support and comfort to my family and myself in this time of grief”, the King’s statement further added.

After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled over the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth for 70 years, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla toured across the United Kingdom. They met with civilians who had gone to pay respects to the former monarch.

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World leaders arrived in London ahead of the queen’s farewell. US President Joe Biden, along with First Lady Jill, paid their tributes to the late monarch at London’s Westminster Hall.

Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister who is known for his anti-monarchy stance, softened his view ahead of the funeral and told Sky News Australia that the late queen was “a constant reassuring presence”.

On the eve of the queen’s funeral, at 8 PM GMT, British Prime Minister Liz Truss led the United Kingdom in a minute’s silence to honour the “life and legacy” of Queen Elizabeth II.