Today is Friday, September 9, 2022. Today the British people have lived a day without their beloved Queen who just died yesterday at the age of 96. Queen Elizabeth II symbolized constancy and stability during times of abrupt change since she ascended to the throne in 1952 at the age of 25.

Today also marked King Charles’ brief address to the British public and to the world in which he pledged to carry on the same duties as his beloved mother did during her 70-year reign. In this somber speech, the new British monarch demonstrated his seriousness in dedicating the rest of his life to public service. This first speech by King Charles is covered in an online article for CNN written by Ivanka Kottasova entitled “King Charles III vows to swerve ‘with loyalty, respect, and love’ in first address as monarch.”

The longest-serving heir apparent in British history, Charles was overheard telling Prime Minister Liz Truss today that the death of his mother was the moment he had been “dreading.” Charles has been waiting practically all his life for the dreaded moment of September 8, 2022.

Thus the stage was set for his first address as King today, in which he paid heartfelt tribute to his mother, the Queen. Wearing a black suit and a black tie, Charles said Queen Elizabeth “made sacrifices for duty, dedication, and devotion.”

The King pays homage to his Mother, saying, “I pay tribute to my Mother’s memory and I honor her life of service.” He acknowledges the impact her death has had on her subjects when he says, “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.”

Sitting behind a desk, with a picture of his mother displayed prominently to his left, Charles promised he would continue in her footsteps and serve his people.

It’s a fitting tribute to tradition that King Charles gave the speech from the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, the same room where Queen Elizabeth used to record some of her many annual Christmas messages over the years. In an obvious nod to the Queen’s love for dogs, a vase with images of three corgis was placed in the background. I’ve read that Queen Elizabeth had 30 corgis during her lifetime.

With grave solemnity, King Charles stated, “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.”

Charles’ speech was prerecorded at Buckingham Palace earlier in the day, after he arrived at the famous residence from Balmoral Castle.

During the speech, King Charles called out his second wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, saying, “I count on my the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla.” He added, “in recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort.” Here the newly minted King of England melded the personal with the private in his recognition of his wife’s support in his new duties as monarch.

The King also made a significant announcement during the address, naming his son William to be the Prince of Wales, the title he held before the Queen’s death on Thursday.

Also acknowledging William’s wife Kate in his address, Charles said, “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 center ground where vital help can be given.”

He also said he wanted to “express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.” The fact the new King took time to even mention his younger son and his wife can be seen as significant here, given their decision to step away from their royal roles in 2020.

Charles ended the speech on a personal note, with another message to the late Queen.

Betraying some emotion at this juncture, King Charles states, “To my darling mama, as you begin your last journey, I want simply to say this: ‘Thank you.'”

Continuing in this vein, Charles said, “Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years.”

This address by Britain’s new monarch probably will get high marks for its combination of reserved emotion and appropriate solemnity given the impactful moment of yesterday’s news. Whether or not King Charles will instill the same sort of adoration in his subjects as his dear mother did for so long in her prolonged reign will yet to be seen as time wears on.

Coincidentally, I just turned on TikTok and I’m hearing one of the late Queen’s Christmas messages to her many adoring British subjects. She is now trending like the latest TikTok sensation whoever he or she is.

Because of the momentous occasion of the Queen’s death yesterday, I will eschew writing about one former U.S. president’s myriad legal woes for the second day. They will still be there if I fail to write about them here in this blog. Don’t you wish that this nonsense would finally resolve itself with an indictment brought by our timorous Justice Department?

On Saturday, the nation marks the 21st observation of 9/11. It’s amazing that 21 years have elapsed since that enormous tragedy!

Have a good weekend.

Stay safe and be well.