Nama : Fransiskus Oktorius
Bp : 1910003924009
At 1 p.m. ET, he addressed the world as the new monarch of the Commonwealth. Here is a
full transcript of his address:
"I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The
Queen – my beloved mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family,
and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love,
affection, guidance, understanding and example. Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a
promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of
lifelong service I renew to you all today.
"Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of
you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where the Queen was head of state, in the
Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than 70 years
in which my mother, as Queen, served the people of so many nations.
"In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the
Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, 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. Her dedication and devotion as sovereign never
waivered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and
through times of sadness and loss.
"In her life of service we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless
embrace of progress, which make us great as nations. The affection, admiration and respect
she inspired became the hallmark of her reign. And, as every member of my family can
testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humour and an unerring ability always to
see the best in people.
"I pay tribute to my mother's memory and I honour her life of service. I know that her death
brings great sadness to so many of you and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure,
with you all.
"When the Queen came to the throne, Britain and the world were still coping with the
privations and aftermath of the Second World War, and still living by the conventions of
earlier times. In the course of the last 70 years we have seen our society become one of
many cultures and many faiths. The institutions of the state have changed in turn. But,
through all changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of realms – of whose
talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud – have prospered and
flourished. Our values have remained, and must remain, constant.
"The role and the duties of monarchy also remain, as does the sovereign's particular
relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England – the church in which my own
faith is so deeply rooted.
"In that faith, and the values it inspires, I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to
others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms and
responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government.
"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
endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.
"My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be
possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for
which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of
others.
"This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife,
Camilla. In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she
becomes my Queen Consort. I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the
steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.
"As my heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me. He
succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of
Cornwall, which I have undertaken for more than five decades. Today, I am proud to create
him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly
privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty. With Catherine beside him, our new
Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national
conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be
given.
"I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives
overseas.
"In a little over a week's time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and
indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember
and draw strength from the light of her example. On behalf of all my family, I can only offer
the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to
me than I can ever possibly express.
"And to my darling mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late papa, I
want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to
the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May 'flights of angels sing
thee to thy rest.'"
