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I speak to you today with great sadness. Throughout her life, the Queen – our beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and the whole family, and we owe the most sincere debt to our family that we can owe to our mother; for love, affection, guidance, understanding, and example. Queen Elizabeth is a good life; the promise of fate was fulfilled and he mourned the deepest in his passing. My lifetime service promise is new to you all today.
In addition to the personal grief felt by the whole family, we share with you many in England, in all countries where the Queen is Head of State, in the Commonwealth and throughout the world, our deep gratitude for the more than seventy years that my Mother, as Queen, serving people from many countries. In 1947, on his twenty-first birthday, he pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote his life, whether short or long, to the service of his nation. It is more than a promise: it is a deep personal commitment that defines a whole life. He made sacrifices for duty. His dedication and devotion as a Ruler never wavered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sorrow and loss. In the life of the ministry, we see that the love of tradition remains, along with the fearless embrace of progress, that makes us great as a Nation. The love, admiration, and respect he inspired characterized his reign. And, as every family member can testify, he combines these qualities with warmth, humor, and an unmistakable ability to see the best in people. I honor my mother’s memory and I honor her life of service. I know his death has caused you great sorrow and I share the loss, immeasurable, with all of you.
When the Queen came to the throne, England and the world were still suffering from the deprivations and consequences of the Second World War, and were still living by the conventions of the past. Over the past seventy years, we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many religions. State institutions have changed. However, through all the changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of Realms – whose talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud – have prospered and flourished. Our values remain, and must remain, constant.
The role and duties of the Monarchy also remain, as does the Sovereign’s special relationship and responsibility to the Church of England – a Church in which my faith is deeply rooted. In that faith, and the values it inspires, I have been raised to appreciate the sense of responsibility towards others, and to respect the traditions, freedoms and responsibilities that are precious to our unique history and parliamentary system of government. Just like the Queen herself who does unwavering devotion, I am also now committed, in the time that God has given me, to uphold the principles of the Constitution in the heart of our nation. And wherever you live in England, or in Nature and regions around the world, and whatever your background or beliefs, I will try to serve you faithfully, respectfully and lovingly, as I have done all my life.
My life will definitely change as I take on new responsibilities. I will never be able to give so much time and energy to charities and issues that I care about so much. But I know this important work will be done in the trusted hands of others.
It was also a time of change for my family. I look forward to the loving support of my wife, Camilla. In recognition of her faithful public service since her marriage seventeen years ago, she is my Empress. I know she will bring the demands of her new role with her unwavering dedication to the task on which I depend so much. As my Heir, William now assumes the Scottish title which is very important to me. He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes over the responsibility for the Duchy of Cornwall which he has held for over five decades. Today, I am proud to make him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, a title that I am privileged to bear throughout my life and career. With Catherine by their side, the new Prince and Princess of Wales, I know, will continue to inspire and lead our national conversation, helping to bring the marginalized to the center where essential help can be provided. I also want to express my love to Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.
In just over a week, we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay our beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and take strength from the light of his example. I am the representative of the whole family, I can only express my gratitude for their unconditional love and support. They mean more than I can say. And to my beloved mother, when you started the last journey to join my beloved father, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to your family and the families of the nations that you have served so faithfully all these years. May the “flight of Angels sing you to rest.”
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