King Charles attends Commonwealth Reception

King Charles III will attend a reception alongside the Commonwealth Commissioners on Sunday.

The Commission maintains and develops relationships with countries grappling with love for the Queen and lingering anguish over their colonial heritage.

Prince Charles became king after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died on Thursday at a summer resort in Scotland. Her coffin left her beloved Balmoral Castle on Sunday for her six-hour journey to Edinburgh.

The King will meet with the Commonwealth Secretary General at Buckingham Palace, followed by a reception with Foreign Secretaries and Commissioners from countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Belize, Canada and New Zealand.

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Main development:

— Former British colonies collide About Queen Elizabeth II

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— The Coffin of Queen Elizabeth II start traveling in scotland

— Britain’s next steps where Queen Elizabeth II rested

— King Charles III officially declared monarch in london

— what Happens in all currencies Does it feature a queen?

– explainer: Formal Rules for Charles’ Accession

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— Street Mourners: Heartfelt grief flows across England

— Charles loved by his subjectslike his mother?

— Learn more about AP coverage here. https://apnews.com/hub/queen-elizabeth-ii

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Other developments:

Balmoral Castle, Scotland — A hearse carrying the late Queen Elizabeth II’s oak coffin leaves the beloved Balmoral Castle.

The deceased monarch’s coffin begins the six-hour journey to Edinburgh on Sunday. She died in Balmoral on Thursday after completing her 70-year reign and is beginning her final journey back to London for her state funeral on 19 September.

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Crowds line part of the route as the country mourns its longest-reigning monarch. Early Sunday morning, flowers and other tributes (little Paddington her bear toy, a hand-painted picture of the Queen) were piled up outside Balmoral’s gates.

Also on Sunday, King Charles III will be formally proclaimed king in other parts of the UK, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, following similar ceremonies in England the day before.

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CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — Britain’s King Charles III was officially declared the monarch of Australia in a ceremony in Canberra.

Australia’s Governor General David Hurley made the proclamation at the Houses of Parliament on Sunday. The service ended with 21 salutes.

When the Queen died Thursday, Charles automatically became King.

But like Saturday’s coronation ceremony in London, the proclamation in Australia was a constitutional and ceremonial step to introduce a new monarch to the country.

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Charles is now the head of state of Australia, a former member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

Similar ceremonies are held in each Australian state and territory.

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Wellington, New Zealand — King Charles III of England was officially declared the monarch of New Zealand in a ceremony in Wellington.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy on Sunday, saying her son and heir have strong ties to New Zealand.

When the Queen died Thursday, Charles automatically became King.

Like Saturday’s coronation ceremony in London, the proclamation in New Zealand was a constitutional and ceremonial step to introduce a new monarch to the country.

To mark the occasion, the Army’s 16th Field Regiment performed a 21-gun salute from Point Jerningham, Wellington.

Charles is now the Head of State of New Zealand, a former member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

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New Delhi — India observes a state day of remembrance on Sunday as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II.

Flags were lowered to half mast on all government buildings across the country. India was a British colony before becoming independent in 1947.

Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and rock of stability for much of a tumultuous century, Queen Elizabeth II, died Thursday after 70 years on the throne.

King Charles III was officially declared monarch of the United Kingdom on Saturday. When his mother died Thursday, he automatically became king.