King Charles III greets mourners at Buckingham Palace as he makes first public appearance - 'long live the King'

King Charles III greets mourners at Buckingham Palace, in his first public appearance since the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II aged 96, on September 8, 2022.

• King Charles III met with mourners at Buckingham Palace, after he returned from Balmoral Castle.
• Camilla, the Queen Consort, accompanied the King as thousands of well-wishers shared their condolences.
• In other royal news, The Queen's monumental life in pictures, from her Westminster wedding to her Platinum Jubilee, as she dies aged 96.

Queen Elizabeth II has died, at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, aged 96. Following her death, her eldest son Charles is now King. An official statement from Buckingham Palace read, "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," adding, "The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

Within merely a day after the sad news, duty called King Charles back to London in order to finalize what happens next following Queen Elizabeth II's death. Cameras followed the royal's journey to Buckingham Palace, from Scotland.

Many were moved by the incredible scenes when the new King and his wife, the Queen Consort, took the time to meet with crowds of royal devotees. The royal couple shook hands and greeted their subjects, who'd waited to share their condolences.

Of the hundreds of people that had gathered outside the gates of Buckingham Palace, many joined to sing the national anthem, before declaring, "love live the king."

As well as greeting the large crowd, King Charles and Camilla the Queen Consort were visibly moved by the countless floral tributes left in honor of the late Queen.

After the news broke, King Charles expressed the ‘greatest sadness’ of losing his mother, in a statement on behalf of the Royal Family. The statement, shared by Buckingham Palace, began, “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. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.” 

King Charles continued, “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.”