MY MOTHER'S REIGN WAS UNEQUALLED IN ITS DEVOTION

King Charles III in moving tribute as he's formally declared monarch

- TONY JONES

KING Charles III paid tribute to the reign of the late Queen, 'unequalled in its duration, its dedication and its devotion, as he was formally declared the nation's new monarch.

During a poignant and sombre meeting of the Accession Council, the King spoke movingly about his mother and the grief his family is experiencing, but said the 'sympathy expressed by so many to my sister and brothers' had been the 'greatest consolation!

Watched by the Queen, the new Prince of Wales and more than 200 privy counsellors including six former prime ministers - the King pledged himself to the task now before him and the 'heavy responsibilities of Sovereignty.