Charles III declared King of Australia

GOVERNOR-General David Hurley proclaimed Charles III as monarch at a ceremony at Parliament House last Sunday.

Australia’s Executive Council, which formally advises the Governor-General, earlier met in Canberra to recommend the proclamation.

The Governor-General said the council had a weighty responsibility.

“Australia is an unfinished product. It is now entering a new era,” Mr Hurley said.

“Most Australians have not known a world without Queen Elizabeth II, her passing is the end of an era.”

The ceremony began with a procession of the Australian Defence Force followed by a welcome to country.

Following the proclamation, God Save the King was played, with flags raised to full mast.

They will be returned to half-mast at dusk until the day after the funeral for the late monarch, which is scheduled for 19 September.

An Indigenous spiritual dance preceded a 21-gun salute, which rang out across the capital.

MPs and senators from across the political divide watched the proceedings, while large crowds also gathered outside Parliament House to witness the proclamation, with some attendees waiting for more than an hour.

State proclamation ceremonies also took place across the country following the declaration in Canberra.

A day later Victoria also proclaimed King Charles III as Australia’s new head of state.

Victoria’s Lieutenant-Governor, Chief Justice and other senior officers swore oaths to the King in a proclamation ceremony at Government House.

All states except Victoria held their own proclamation ceremonies on Sunday.