Charles officially named king of Australia, New Zealand

Published September 11, 2022 5:50pm

Members of the Australian Defence Force conduct a 21-gun salute during a Proclamation of Accession ceremony for Britain's King Charles III at Parliament House in Canberra on September 11, 2022. King Charles III pledged to follow his mother's example of "lifelong service" in his inaugural address to Britain and the Commonwealth on September 10, after ascending to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8. Mick Tsikas/ Pool/ AFP

SYDNEY — King Charles III was officially named monarch in Australia and New Zealand on Sunday, in tandem ceremonies marking his ascension to the throne.

In Canberra, Governor-General David Hurley proclaimed "Prince Charles Philip Arthur George to be King Charles III, by grace of God, King of Australia."

At a similar ceremony in Wellington, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hailed Charles, saying he "has long had an affection for Aotearoa New Zealand, has consistently demonstrated his deep care for our nation."

The two ceremonies were relative formalities.

Both former British colonies have been independent for decades but retain the monarch as their head of state.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who will leave for London this week to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, announced that September 22 would be a public holiday in Australia to mark her death.

The queen died on September 8 at the age of 96. Charles was officially proclaimed king two days later. — Agence France-Presse

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