King Charles III holds first audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss

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King Charles described the death of the Queen as the moment he had “been dreading”, in an exchange with Prime Minister Liz Truss on Friday. Ms Truss’s first meeting with the new monarch came after he returned to London to cheering crowds outside Buckingham Palace who had come to pay their respects to the Queen. He had rushed to Balmoral to be at Her Majesty’s bedside from an event in Northern Ireland. In his admission, which was picked up by television cameras, Charles said: “The moment I’ve been dreading, as I know a lot of people have.”

He added: “We mustn’t take up too much of your time,” Charles said to Truss, who only took office herself on Tuesday.

“It has been so touching this afternoon when we arrived, all those people who had come to give their condolences … and flowers,” he added, as the prime minister also offered her condolences.

The meeting took place ahead of a televised address by Charles to the nation, in which he pledged to follow the example of his mother in devoting himself to duty.

The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort spent more than 10 minutes shaking hands with dozens of well-wishers and looking at floral tributes outside the palace after getting out of their car for an impromptu walkabout.

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In his televised message, Charles reflected on his mother’s promise she made in 1947, aged 21, to devote her life to the service of her peoples.

“That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty,” he said.

“As the queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.

“And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect, and love, as I have throughout my life.”

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