Britain's King Charles III has been formally proclaimed monarch during an Accession Council ceremony in London.
Charles automatically became king on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, but the Accession Council, attended by privy councillors, confirmed his role.
The ceremony featured a platform party, made up of Queen Camilla, Prince William, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of York, Prime Minister Liz Truss, the Lord Privy Seal, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Earl Marshal and the Lord President, who signed the proclamation.
The Lord President announced the death of the sovereign and then called upon the Clerk of the Council to read aloud the text of the Accession Proclamation.
It included Charles' chosen title as King, already known to be King Charles III.
The council, which was televised for the first time, is a centuries-old formality to recognise the new British king's sovereignty.
King Charles officially took his vow as the new king, saying he was "deeply aware" of the "duties and heavy responsibility of sovereignty".
He said his mother, who died on Thursday in Balmoral aged 96, "gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service" that he promised to emulate.
"I know that I shall be upheld by the affection and loyalty of the peoples whose sovereign I have been called to be," he said.
He added he was "profoundly encouraged by the support of my beloved wife".
Held in a grand room at St James's Palace decked out in crimson and gold, the Accession Council took place in two parts, the first of which Charles was absent while they proclaimed him king.
The clerk of the council announced that "Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the death of our lady sovereign of happy memory, become our King Charles III... God save the king!"
The assembled councillors then repeated "God save the king".
Prince William, now known as the Prince of Wales, was among those signing the proclamation as a witness.
In a statement later, he said it would be "some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real".
William said the queen was "by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life."
He concluded: "I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can."
Charles' accession was announced publicly by a trumpet fanfare and a proclamation from a balcony of the palace at 11am.
This evening, it was confirmed that Queen Elizabeth's funeral will be held on 19 September.
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William, Kate, Meghan and Harry in Windsor walkabout
Britain's Prince and Princess of Wales have been joined by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on a walkabout at Windsor Castle as their first engagement under their new titles.
Harry and Meghan joined William and Kate in public together for the first time since Commonwealth Day on 9 March, 2020, as they inspected flowers and balloons before a walkabout at the venue.
A royal source said the new Prince of Wales asked his brother and his wife to join them in viewing the tributes.
The couples were dressed all in black as they walked along the gates of the castle.
The duke and duchess held hands as they looked at the tributes, with Harry at one point affectionately putting his hand on Meghan's back.
William and Kate and Harry and Meghan then greeted well-wishes at Windsor Castle with a number holding up mobile phones to take a photo of the royals.
Royals greet well-wishers outside Balmoral
People are still leaving flowers and other tributes at both Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland where Queen Elizabeth died on Thursday at the age of 96.
The crowd waiting at the front gates broke out into a round of applause as the royal family waved to them.
Three of the queen's four children - Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward - and their spouses and children went for a walkabout after attending a prayer service at Crathie Kirk.
The family spent just under 10 minutes intently reading the tributes and admiring the flowers before they returned inside Balmoral Castle.
Prince Andrew, flanked by his daughters Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, thanked well-wishers for lining the route back to Balmoral after the royal family attended the prayer service.
Asked by a mourner how things were, Andrew said: "We've been allowed one day, now we start the process of handing her on."
He added: "It’s nice to see you, thank you for coming."
The family stopped to look at the flowers and read tributes, while Princess Eugenie was seen laying a bunch of flowers with the rest of the tributes.
Prince Andrew put his arm around his daughter as she wiped a tear from her eyes. Princess Beatrice was also in attendance.
Prince Edward thanked well-wishers lining the route back to Balmoral Castle.
Hearing one group had come from Glasgow to show their support, he said: "Thank you very much for coming all that way, we appreciate it."
