9th of September 2022 - Balmoral

A record-breaking monarch of Elizabeth II's global stature was never going to depart this life with one funeral; she would need three, there would be a formal state funeral at Westminster Abbey, followed by a service of committal, the third was private burial.

There hadn't been a funeral for a monarch in Westminster Abbey since George II was buried there in 1760; subsequent monarchs had elected to have their funerals at St George's Chapel.

The Queen had been the first 'world' monarch, travelling further and meeting more people than all her predecessors combined and certainly no one had opted for both.

London was a strange blend of misery and celebration for the first twenty-four hours after the death of the Queen and the start of the new King's reign.

Outside Buckingham Palace, some stood in tears while other wanted to raise a toast; a convoy of black taxis stood in silent tribute.

There was an eerie calm hanging over the Balmoral estate, the morning after the Queen had passed with those in-charge of organising the funeral and smooth succession referring to it as D-Day.

Overnight had seen many called to prepare for the task that came next with Alexander de Montfort arriving at the castle to brief all the members of the Royal Family on the details of their roles in the days ahead.

While at Birkhall, the new King and Queen went through the final plans for one of the biggest days of both of their lives.

It was moments such as these, the public mood could swing swiftly one way or another, as the Royal Family had discovered in the early days following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

There had been a training video prepared for Charles, William and Adeline for this very moment on what would be expected of them in the coming days; now the most senior members of the family, they would be seen a lot more than other members.

Charles had asked his sister if she would escort their mother's coffin down to Edinburgh in the days ahead; accompanied by her husband.

It had been Anne that had greeted Harry upon his arrival to Balmoral, the last member of the family to arrive and escorted him up to the Queen's bedroom, where he was left to pay his respects to his late grandmother.

After which, he had joined the family dinner downstairs, no bagpipes were played at the end of the meal out of respect for the late Queen.

It had been late morning when Charles and Camilla were on their way to Aberdeen airport for the flight to RAF Northolt and while their staff would have usually would have sat alongside them, talking them through whatever would be happening when they landed.

This time, they moved to the front of the plane to give the pair space to think and read through their hefty briefing packs in private.

The next few days were going to be the busiest that Charles and Camilla had ever undertaken, while others took time off after a loss, it was the opposite with a monarch who needed to be seen.

It wouldn't be too long after the King and Queen Consort, as Camilla would be known for the first few weeks of their reign, that Harry, William and Adeline made their own trips back to London while the rest of the family remained in Balmoral.

Harry had caught a flight earlier than his two siblings, the cameras catching the lone figure of the Duke of Sussex as he departed.

Not long after he had left, William and Adeline had arrived at the airport both of them talking between themselves as the cameras followed the siblings as they made their way towards the plane.

Adeline dressed in a black dress, leaving no doubt that the royal court was in official mourning for the loss of the late Queen; which would last a month, meaning that apart from ceremonial appearances, there would be no royal engagements.

The rest of the family, would remain at Balmoral, attending a short service of contemplation and prayer at Crathie church and would remain in Scotland while the King and Queen Consort dealt with everything that they needed to do.

***

Blue Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace

It was strange to be back in Buckingham Palace for many, everyone still reeling from the death of Her Majesty the day before and yet there was still much to do that couldn't be put off.

The Blue Drawing Room had been a favourite of the late Queen and now it would be the first place that King Charles would make his first public address; one that he had been working on for some time.

His pre-prepared text was largely co-signed to the waste-paper basket, he insisted that he wanted this to be fresh; nothing something that felt rehearsed when he was addressing not just the nation but the world.

This speech he had worked on carefully drafting and redrafting throughout the day, with Camilla by his side as she had been all day.

She had positioned herself in a corner of the Blue Drawing Room so that she could see Charles but he could not see her; knowing that the whole thing would set her off and she did not wish to set him off.

Adeline was by her side, Charles having requested that his daughter attend the recording knowing that they would need to talk after it was done.

It was still hard to wrap her head around what was actually happening, that her father was king now and her grandmother had happened; the warm welcome that Charles and Camilla had received upon entering the Palace was a good sign indeed for the days to come.

Some people had held out hope that the throne would pass straight to William and Catherine even if that situation was never going to happen, the succession was an act of law and nothing would change that unless Charles abdicated for himself.

Charles looked devastated, the news didn't feel real to any of them with little time for them to grieve before they had been thrust back out on the world stage to a world also trying to come to terms with what had happened.

The only comfort they had now was the fact that Elizabeth had been reunited with her loved ones, her parents, her sister and her husband and she was no longer suffering.

The sound of the producer counting down to start the recording of her father's first televised speech as King snapped Adeline from her thoughts.

"I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty the Queen... my beloved Mother... was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example," King Charles started, his voice calm and steady as he read from the teleprompter the speech that he had prepared.

"Queen Elizabeth's was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today. Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where the queen was head of state, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than seventy years in which my mother, as queen, served the people of so many nations," he continued on.

"In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples. That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life." Charles said.

"She made sacrifices for duty. Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never wavered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss. In her life of service we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless embrace of progress, which make us great as Nations. The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign. And, as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humour and an unerring ability always to see the best in people," Charles pushed on.

His eyes filled with tears as he talked and he knew that there was no one that could deny that she had been a remarkable woman, one that would be missed and marked the end of an era.

He was not the only one, out of sight from her husband Camilla shed a few of her own unable to keep them in as she listened to his heartfelt speech and knowing that her mother-in-law would be deeply missed by many.

"I pay tribute to my Mother's memory and I honour her life of service. 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," Charles said softly. Already they had seen people coming to the Palace to lay flowers and pay their respects to the monarch, the coverage on the television playing often as they prepared to film this moment.

"When the Queen came to the throne, Britain and the world were still coping with the privations and aftermath of the Second World War, and still living by the conventions of earlier times. In the course of the last seventy years we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths. The institutions of the State have changed in turn. But, through all changes and challenges, our nation and the wider family of Realms — of whose talents, traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud — have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained, and must remain, constant," Charles stated knowing that the commonwealth was his mother's legacy and he wanted to honour and protect it as much as he could.

"The role and the duties of Monarchy also remain, as does the Sovereign's particular relationship and responsibility toward the Church of England — the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted. In that faith, and the values it inspires, I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government," Charles continued on knowing that there was still much for him to say in the just under ten minute speech.

"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. And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life," Charles vowed.

He wouldn't have a reign like his mother's, he would do what he could with the time that he was given and he prayed that he solved the issues that plagued the monarchy and wouldn't leave them to William.

His mother had reigned for seventy years, the like was unlikely to be seen again in their lifetimes at least and Charles intended to rule until he wasn't able to do so anymore or his time came to an end.

"My life will, of course, change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others," Charles said clearing his throat as he blinked back tears.

Like his mother, he would have those that he could continue on; people that he could turn to for support and those that he could not do without and he would recognise them now.

"This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla. In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage seventeen years ago, she becomes my queen consort. I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much," Charles stated knowing that it was his mother's blessing that allowed this to happen.

Once they never would have considered that Camilla would be anything but a Princess Consort, however Queen Elizabeth had stated her desire for Camilla to be Queen Consort and that had dealt with any doubts on Camilla's position.

The Queen had tidied everything about her reign off in a nice bow, there was little that had been left unfinished in everything that she had done to secure her own son's succession.

Camilla took a deep breath, she knew that there would still be a great many people that blamed her for what happened during the marriage of Charles and Diana and would not accept her being Queen Camilla.

It was never going to be an easy and Camilla had worked her hardest to keep her head down and carry on with her duties no matter what was said about her in the press or by Diana's still loyal followers.

"As my Heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me. He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall which I have undertaken for more than five decades. Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty. 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 centre ground where vital help can be given," Charles stated proudly.

There would be no doubt in his mind that William and Catherine would do well in their roles, they would step forward now as his heir and make the roles their own.

There would be no investiture like he had in 1969, when he was crowned by his mother in a televised ceremony held at Caernarfon Castle; the investiture had been controversial in Wales owing to growing Welsh nationalist sentiment.

"To aid them in their journey to inspire and lead our national conversations, I look to the Duke and Duchess of Clarence. I recognise the hard work and duty that our Duke and Duchess have shown since they married eight years ago. It is in that thought that I create the Duke of Clarence, His Royal Highness Prince Simon along with creating my four grandchildren Princes and Princesses befitting their station as grandchildren of a monarch," Charles announced not looking to Adeline.

Charles had planned this for years, originally he had planned for his grandchildren to be entitled as their cousins would be but after seeing the nightmare that had been Harry and Meghan; he knew that there was more he could do.

There had been talks for months, push back from those who feared what such titles might mean for the royal family but Charles had pushed forward knowing that Adeline and Simon would not misuse them.

Adeline stood speechlessly, she hadn't expected this and she felt tears build in her eyes especially for him to do this in his first public address as King.

It would mean that they would see Harry and Meghan quick to announce that their own children would have such titles despite the fact that Archie and Lilibet were being raised as private citizens.

"I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas. In a little over a week's time we will come together as a nation, as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example," Charles said knowing that there could be no complaints that he hadn't mentioned Harry and Meghan.

The family were still awaiting the documentary to drop along with the book that Harry had been writing, no doubt more mud being thrown at the family who refused to comment on anything the pair said.

"On behalf of all my family, I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support. They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express," Charles said recalling his talks with people outside of the palace when he'd returned to London that morning.

It had been unreal, despite the concerns of the past coming back to haunt him and people considering him unpopular it seemed that they had received a rather warm welcome.

"And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: Thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years," Charles stated softly, his eyes filling with tears.

It was never going to be the same, his mother was gone and now he was the head of the family; it was him that everyone would look to now.

"May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest." Charles said bringing an end to his first speech as king, it felt unreal that this was his life now and people would be watching this later that evening.

The coverage of his mother's death still on-going, no one wishing to miss a moment in case there was something that happened.

Afterall, it had been seventy years with Queen Elizabeth on the throne; most people in the world had never known another monarch on the throne and there were questions on what came next.

Charles took a deep breath, his eyes looking around the room knowing that there was no going back now and he got to his feet.

"You didn't need to do that," Adeline said approaching her father, once she was sure that the recording had stopped; people would talk about this decision and speculate about why he had made her husband a Prince along with her children.

Her children were female line descendants, it was the reason that they had decided that they would be Lords and Ladies; they had kept them all the same so no one was higher than the others, since it had been unlikely they would have future roles.

"A move towards equality perhaps, they are your children and have royal blood. That is what matters and they are my grandchildren, like their cousins they should be titled as such," Charles stated proudly.

There had been a lot of consideration that went into this, the titles were lifetime only and couldn't be passed down to children; it was important to him especially knowing the issues that were going to pop up with Archie and Lilibet.

The rules that Charles had agreed to was that the female-line children could only gain the title Prince and Princess upon their female relative's parent becoming King or Queen at the monarchs discretion.

"Besides with everything going on, your children are important to the future of the monarchy. They will support their cousins one day, they will be front and centre in the future," Charles said patting Adeline's shoulder.

There was no doubt in his mind that George, Charlotte and Louis would lean on Daphne, Sebastian, Helena and Albert in the future.

The seven of them were the future of the monarchy now, their close bond was hard to ignore and Charles was thankful for that especially considering that two of his grandchildren would miss out on that bond.

There was nothing that he could do for Archie and Lilibet, he didn't have the connection with them that he had with the others; it was hard to bond with them considering they lived in California and their parents were causing all this trouble.

It took Adeline a moment, tears filling her eyes before she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her father; not caring that the room was filled with people as the director and producer talked about doing another take to be safe.

***

That evening saw St Paul's Cathedral hosting the first major service of Thanksgiving and with it, its first recital in more than seventy years of 'God Save the King' with other congregations doing the same all over the country.

In Balmoral, Dr Glass had already signed the death certificate attributing the death of the Queen to 'old age'; it would be registered by the Princess Royal in the following week.

It had been agreed that the precise cause of death would not been known as the Queen had been suffering from multiple conditions in her final years; which had made the late Queen realise she would not emulate her mother and reach one hundred.

Towards the end, the Queen had accepted that it was now time to address certain issues that had been sitting in what her officials called 'Too Difficult' folder.

Top of that list had been the question of Camilla's title after the change in reign, it had to come from the Queen and she had known that; her words during her platinum jubilee speech had settled the matter.

Shortly before the service of Thanksgiving started, the King's speech was aired with 5.9 million people tuning in to see what the monarch had to say.

There was no denying that Charles had caught the mood that the entire realm had felt, the loss of the Queen still a shock even twenty-four hours after she had passed and the news had been announced.

The speech had been a hit especially with the announcement that William and Catherine were now the Prince and Princess of Wales; although there was a little upset from some Diana fans who wanted the title Princess of Wales discontinued because of its connection with Diana.

Then there had been the news about Simon becoming a Prince which had been warmly welcomed along with the addition of Princess Daphne, Prince Sebastian, Princess Helena and Prince Albert.

There had been questions about Archie and Lilibet, why their new titles had not been announced yet along with their cousins but a statement had quickly come from the Sussexes after the King's speech that their children were now to be known as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.

The two children still securely hidden away in California despite their parents extending their stay in the UK because of the funeral.