Australia declares King Charles III as head of state

Sydney
CNN
–

Australia King Charles III – the first new monarch in 70 years – is officially inaugurated as head of state in a ceremony on Sunday.

The announcement was made by Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley in the country’s parliament in Canberra. A series of proclamation ceremonies will also be held across the country’s state parliaments on Sunday.

A national day of remembrance will be held on September 22, after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese returns from Britain, where he will attend the Queen’s funeral. A memorial service will also be held on that day, which has been declared a one-time public holiday.

As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia 16 times.

“From her first famous trip to Australia, the only sovereign she has ever visited, it was clear that Her Majesty holds a special place in her heart for Australia,” Albanese said in a statement on Friday.

“Fifteen more rounds before cheering fans in every part of our country confirmed the special place it occupies in our region.”

In 1999, Australia held a referendum on whether the Queen should be removed as head of state, but was defeated.

The iconic Sydney Opera House was lit up on Friday in honor of the Queen.

New Zealand, the neighboring Commonwealth country, also officially announced on Sunday that King Charles III was head of state in a televised ceremony.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Queen Elizabeth has served the people of New Zealand for 70 years with unwavering duty.

“For the vast majority of New Zealanders, she is the only monarch we have known, and so upon her death we enter a time of change,” Ardern said.

“King Charles has always loved New Zealand’s Aotearoa and has always shown his deepest care for our nation.” She added. “And where one chapter closes, another begins.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter on Saturday that the Canadian Parliament will sit on Thursday to allow members to honor Queen Elizabeth II.

Trudeau added that the Canadian Parliament will postpone its opening session by one day. “To accommodate Her Majesty’s funeral, the opening session will be postponed – one day – until September 20,” Trudeau said.