Sydney (Australia), Sep 11 – Charles III was officially proclaimed this Sunday the new monarch of Australia and New Zealand after assuming the position of king of the United Kingdom after the death on Thursday of his mother, Elizabeth II.

The governments of both countries held separate acts in front of their respective parliaments.

In Canberra, the Governor General, David Hurley, representative of the British monarchy in the oceanic country, extolled in a speech the figure of the “nice and glorious” Queen Elizabeth II and wished the new head of state of the United Kingdom, who will lead the name of Charles III, a “long and happy” reign.

“(Elizabeth II) was the only reigning monarch to visit Australia and it was clear from her first trip that she had a special place in our hearts,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement, indicating that the country will celebrate September 22 a day of national mourning.

In addition to the government representatives, the ceremony in the Australian capital was also attended by representatives of the aboriginal minority who performed chants and the fire ritual in honor of the new monarch.

For her part, in Wellington, the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, thanked the “close bond” that the late monarch had with New Zealand and recalled the “deep affection” that Charles III has shown with the country during her visits .

“And just as one chapter closes, another begins,” she remarked Ardern in a ceremony that took place in English and in the Maori language.

The acts in these oceanic countries follow the similar ceremony held yesterday in the United Kingdom, for the ascension to the throne of Charles III after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, at the age of 96 and whose reign lasted 70 years.

In addition to these two nations, Charles III will also be proclaimed head of state in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, in the Pacific region.

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