Diplomatic duties begin forKing Charles III.
The monarch, 73, met with newly elected Prime MinisterLiz Trussat Buckingham Palace in London Friday, marking their first formal meeting in their new roles.
“It’s very kind of you to come in. I know how you’ve been busy, to say the least,” King Charles told the new premier with a laugh.
On a more somber note, he said that the outpouring of sympathies following his mother’s death meant so much.
“It’s been so touching, this afternoon, when we arrived,” he said of thetributeshe and his wifeCamilla, Queen Consort, found in London. “All those people had come to give their condolences and put flowers… it’s the moment I’ve been dreading, as I know a lot of people have,” he continued, alluding to Her Majesty’s death. “But we’ll try to keep everything going.”
King Charles and U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss.Yui Mok/AP/Shutterstock
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The audience was historic, as it marked the first time in the Queen’s record-breaking 70-year reign that she did not meet a new premier in England.Queen Elizabethhad been experiencingepisodic mobility issues, and a source told PEOPLE the appointment was hosted at Balmoral for certainty of schedules.
Charles and his wife, now known asCamilla, Queen Consort, had traveled toQueen Elizabeth’s side in the Scottish Highlands after Buckingham Palace announced that her doctors were"concerned"for Her Majesty’s health Thursday. Charleshad been in Scotlandthe day before, carrying out engagements.
Queen Elizabeth and Liz Truss.Jane Barlow/AP/Shutterstock
On Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced thatQueen Elizabethdiedat age 96, at her beloved Balmoral Castle.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” officials said in a statement. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
After the news was announced, Trusspaid tributeto the late royal while helping usher in a new era with King Charles’pending succession.
“Queen ElizabethII was the rock on which modern Britain was built. Our country has grown and flourished under her reign,” the prime minister said in a statement shared to social media.
“In the difficult days ahead, we will come together with our friends across the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the world to celebrate her extraordinary lifetime of service,” Truss continued. “It is a day of great loss, butQueen ElizabethII leaves a great legacy.”
“God save the King,” she concluded.
On Friday evening, King Charles addressed the nation — and the world — in hisfirst speech as monarch.
source: people.com
