Tripti Nath

New Delhi

King Charles III, Britain’s new monarch today expressed heartfelt debt to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II as he took on a new role in a grief-stricken state, within 24 hours of her demise.

Addressing the nation for the first time as sovereign, the 73 year-old monarch said, “ I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, HM the Queen, my beloved mother, was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family. We owe her the most heartfelt debt any family could owe to their mother, for her love, affection, guidance and example."

At the same time, he announced that he was creating his son William Prince of Wales. "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 centre ground where vital help can be given,’’ he said.

Reflecting on his mother's service, King Charles III said, "In her life of service. we saw that abiding love of tradition together with that fearless embrace of progress which makes us great as nations, The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became a hallmark of her reign. She made sacrifices to duty. Her dedication and devotion as sovereign never wavered, through times of change and progress, though times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss."

He said, “Our values have remained, and must remain, constant. The role and the duties of Monarchy also remain, as does the Sovereign's particular relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England - the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted."

Speaking about his mother's upcoming funeral, the King said: "In our sorrow let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example.

Acknowledging countless condolences for his mother, King Charless III said, On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express. Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where the Queen was head of state, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than 70 years in which my mother as Queen served the people of so many nations.’’

The new monarch said, "When The Queen came to the throne, Britain and the world were still coping with the privations and aftermath of the Second World War, and still living by the conventions of earlier times. In the course of the last 70 years we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths.”

He added, "The institutions of the State have changed in turn. But, through all changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of Realms - of whose talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud - have prospered and flourished.

He said, "In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life - whether it be short or long - to the service of her people.That was more than a promise. It was a profound personal commitment, which defined her whole life."

Talking about his new role, King Charles III said, "My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities. "This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife Camilla. In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort. I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others. ‘’

The King ended his address with the following words, "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 to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. "May 'flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest'."

Earlier in the day, the new monarch held an in-person audience with Britain’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss at Buckingham Palace.He also greeted a huge crowd of mourners outside Buckingham Palace on his return to London with Camilla, Queen Consort. Shouts of ‘ God save the King’ could be heard as soon as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, stepped out of their car at Buckingham Palace.  A row of bouquets were neatly arranged in front of Buckingham Palace with tributes to the Queen, while ceremonial gun salutes rung out around the U.K.

BBC footage showed how people reached out to soothe their new monarch- some with kisses and others with a comforting hug.