King Charles extends olive branch to Prince Harry and Meghan in first address

9 September 2022, 18:56 | Updated: 9 September 2022, 19:12

King Charles, speaking in a pre-recorded message, said he wanted to "express my love" for Prince Harry and Meghan "as they continue to build their lives overseas."
King Charles, speaking in a pre-recorded message, said he wanted to "express my love" for Prince Harry and Meghan "as they continue to build their lives overseas.". Picture: Alamy

By Lauren Lewis

King Charles III extended an olive branch to Prince Harry and Meghan in his first address as monarch this evening.

His Majesty, speaking in a pre-recorded message, said he wanted to "express my love" for his son and Meghan "as they continue to build their lives overseas."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as working royals in January 2020 following their controversial move to California.

Prince Harry rushed to Balmoral on Thursday after Buckingham Palace officials warned they were concerned for the Queen's health.

He arrived after the Royal Family's 6.31pm announcement that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away.

King Charles gives address to the nation following Queen's death

Read more: Queen Elizabeth II's funeral: When and where will it be held and how can I watch it?

The King paid tribute to his "darling mama" and renewed her promise of lifelong service in the nine minute speech.

The 73-year-old monarch, who will be proclaimed at the Accession Council tomorrow, said Queen Elizabeth was "a life well-lived" in an emotional tribute.

He said: "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."

The King pledged his whole life as service as the new sovereign just as the Queen did, saying: "That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today".

"We owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example," he said.

"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. May 'flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest'."

Read more: MPs fall silent in poignant tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Jurgen Klopp in the stands to watch Red Bull Leipzig - one of the clubs he oversees in his role as global head of football for Red Bull

Jürgen Klopp tipped for shock return to management

All leading providers in Spain, including Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, Digimobil, and O2, are suffering from the outage.

Spain struck by phone and internet blackout - just four weeks after nationwide electricity outage

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that Jack Grealish's future will be decided at the end of the season

Jack Grealish's Man City future will be decided at the end of the season, Pep Guardiola reveals

Fans of Manchester United and Tottenham will arrive on Bilbao for the Europa League final

Football fans face paying thousands of pounds for Europa League final trips

Sarah Ruggins

Cyclist who lost ability to walk as teenager due to rare condition breaks world record for cycling length of UK and back

Police Community Support Officers stand near the fire damaged doorway of a house belonging to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Kentish Town in London, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Romanian man is second person to be charged over series of fires at properties in north London linked to Keir Starmer

.

Peppa Pig becomes a big sister as Mummy Pig welcomes new baby and reveals adorable name

The popular snack has been recalled

Urgent recall of popular snack over E.coli contamination fears

Netanyahu accuses Starmer of offering Hamas 'huge prize' after UK and allies call for end to military operations in Gaza

Netanyahu accuses Starmer of offering Hamas 'huge prize' after UK and allies call for end to military operations in Gaza

The nursing profession being 90% female may be among the reasons it is "not taken seriously" when it comes to investment and pay, a union chief has said.

Nursing profession possibly ‘not taken seriously’ because it is 90% female, union chief says

Bella May Culley has been arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling. Picture: Facebook

British teenage 'drug mule' hates the food in Georgian 'hell-hole' jail and wants to come home, lawyer says

A police car parked at the entrance to Kersal Dale, near Salford, Greater Manchester.

Man in his 30s arrested on suspicion of murder after teen dies in ‘targeted attack’ in street

Tesco supermarket logo outside the store on Old Kent Road on 8th May 2024 in London, United Kingdom.

Tesco launches wedding gift basket including bin bags and toilet roll as newlyweds struggle to afford essentials

Big Bird of Sesame Street on location for Sesame Street Films On Location in NYC, New York, NY June 13, 2017. Credit: Derek Storm/Everett Collection/Alamy Live News

Big Bird saved as Sesame Street moves to Netflix in new deal after Trump pulls plug on funding

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference at the Sheba Tel HaShomer Hospital in Ramat Gan, Israel on Saturday, June 8, 2024.

UK, France and Canada slam Netanyahu’s ‘egregious actions’ in Gaza and warn of sanctions

Trump says there's a 'good chance' of Russia-Ukraine peace but US has a red line in talks

Trump says there's a 'good chance' of Russia-Ukraine peace but US has a red line in talks