KING'S HISTORIC ADDRESS TO MPS AND PEERS I FEEL THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY

CAMILLA AT HIS SIDE AS HE PLEDGES DUTY. THEN HE HEADS TO SCOTLAND TO HONOUR QUEEN

- Robert Jobson and Nicholas Cecil

KING CHARLES III told how he felt "the weight of history" as he delivered a historic address to both Houses of Parliament today before flying to Scotland on a sad journey to honour the Queen.

In the magnificent Westminster Hall, he stressed to MPs and peers how he was "resolved faithfully" to follow the late Queen's "selfless duty" in serving the United Kingdom and maintaining "the precious principles of constitutional government which lie at the heart of our nation".

He also spoke of the "tangible connections to my darling late mother" around Parliament commemorating her jubilees, such as the Elizabeth Tower which houses Big Ben.

Hundreds of parliamentarians, including Prime Minister Liz Truss and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, filled the great hall to hear from the new King and to offer their condolences for the passing of Queen Elizabeth II last Thursday.

With his Queen Consort by his side, His Majesty said: "As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of history which surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital parliamentary traditions to which Members of both Houses dedicate yourselves, with such personal commitment for the betterment of us all."

With his words resonating around the vast, hammer-beam roofed hall, he said: "Parliament is the living and breathing instrument of our democracy.

"That your traditions are ancient we see in the construction of this great Hall and the reminders of the mediaeval predecessors of the Office to which I have been called. And the tangible connections to my darling late mother we see all around us." He highlighted the fountain in New Palace Yard for the late Queen's Silver Jubilee, sundial in Old Palace Yard for her Golden Jubilee and "magnificent" stained glass window for her Diamond Jubilee.