What happens at the Accession Council Before King Charles III Proclaim as King

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

Historically, it is attended by all members of the Privy Council, a body of advisers to the sovereign that dates back to the time of the Norman kings.

But with the membership standing at 700, mostly past and present politicians, only 200 are to be summoned.

They initially gather at St James’s Palace without the King. Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt, appointed Lord President of the Privy Council by Prime Minister Liz Truss, will announce the death of the sovereign.

The clerk of the Council reads aloud the text of the Accession Proclamation, including Charles’ chosen title as king – which we know to be Charles III.

The proclamation is signed by a group including the Queen Consort, the Prince of Wales, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of York and the prime minister.

The Lord President calls for silence and reads the remaining items of business, dealing with the public proclamations and orders for the gun salutes at Hyde Park and the Tower of London.

The King enters for the second part of the council, attended only by privy counsellors and makes a personal declaration about the death of the Queen.

He takes an oath to preserve the Church of Scotland and signs two documents to record it, with the Queen Consort and the Prince of Wales among those witnessing his signature.

Privy counsellors will sign the proclamation as they leave.