King Charles III speech: When is the new monarch’s first address to the nation?

File photo dated 8/12/2017 of the Prince of Wales during a visit to Castell Coch, a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle in Tongwynlais, Cardiff. Issue date: Thursday September 8, 2022.
King Charles is preparing to make his first address to the nation as the new monarch. (PA)

It is a speech he has been preparing to deliver his whole life.

The new King, Charles III, will address the nation following the death on Thursday of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

A detailed list of royal protocol has been actioned following the Queen's passing in Balmoral, and this includes the new monarch delivering a televised address to the country.

When is King Charles's speech?

The King will make a televised address to the nation on Friday, which will be broadcast at 6pm.

The speech will be prerecorded.

Watch: King Charles pays tribute to his mother the Queen

In his address, Charles is expected to pay tribute to the Queen and pledge his duty to his service as the new monarch.

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It is thought his speech will echo the famous words from his mother, in a radio broadcast from Cape Town, South Africa, on her 21st birthday on 21 April 1947.

She said: "I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong."

How can I watch King Charles's speech?

File photo dated 2/7/2014 of Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince of Wales (known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland) during a visit to Dumfries House in Cumnock. Issue date: Thursday September 8, 2022.
King Charles has paid tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. (PA)

The speech will be broadcast on the BBC News channel and Sky News, as well as on BBC One and ITV and other major channels.

What has King Charles said already?

Charles became king immediately upon the death of the Queen on Thursday.

Following her passing, he said in a statement: "The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother.

Read more: What happens next following the Queen's death?

A man with a young child lays flowers outside Buckingham Palace, London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Friday September 9, 2022.
A man with a young child lays flowers outside Buckingham Palace, London, on Friday, following the death of the Queen. (PA)

"I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held."

What else is happening on Friday?

The Queen passed away at the age of 96 on Thursday. (PA)
The Queen passed away at the age of 96 on Thursday. (PA)

The King and his wife, Camilla, now the Queen Consort, will travel from Balmoral to London.

At midday, church bells are expected to ring out across the country in commemoration of the Queen, and at the same time, prime minister Liz Truss will lead tributes at the House of Commons.

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At 1pm, gun salutes, one round for every year of the Queen’s life, will be fired in London’s Hyde Park and at other stations.

King Charles will have his first audience as monarch with Truss this afternoon.

Charles is also likely to meet the Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, who is in charge of the accession and the Queen’s funeral, to approve the schedule for the coming days.

Watch: From Prince Charles to King Charles III