King Charles III has been proclaimed monarch of the United Kingdom. At a ceremony at St James’s Palace – attended by 250 dignitaries, including privy councillors and high commissioners of Commonwealth states – the Accession Council formally proclaimed the new sovereign. This is the first time the ancient ceremony, which has not been held for 70 years, has been televised in history. The ceremony did not make Charles King, which he became instantly on the Queen’s death, but confirmed his accession.

All of the living former Prime Ministers were in attendance at the ceremony, with David Cameron, Theresa May, John Major, Boris Johnson, Gordon Brown, and Tony Blair standing on the front row of the ceremony. Other cabinet ministers, members of the opposition and senior politicians attended.

Penny Mordaunt led the ceremony as acting Lord President of the Council. Prince William was the first to sign the proclamation, followed by the Queen Consort Camilla, and then Liz Truss as Prime Minister and the archbishop of Canterbury.

Charles was not present for this part of the ceremony, but then held his first Privy Council. The King made a short speech in which he promised to ‘aspire to follow the inspiring example I have been set’ and then made a declaration and read an oath to protect the security of the Church in Scotland.

The Proclamation was then read by the Garter King of Arms from the balcony overlooking Friary Court at St James’s Palace at 11am. A second proclamation will be read out in the City of London, at the Royal Exchange at midday.

Between 9.30 and 10.30am all Union Flags will be raised to full mast until 1pm on Sunday, when they will be lowered again to half mast.

Watch the moment Charles was proclaimed King here:

Watch King Charles’s declaration here:

Watch the Principal Proclamation here: