Prince Charles Becomes Monarch After Queen Elizabeth's Death

The Royal Family shared Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96 after 70 years on the British throne. Now her eldest son, Prince Charles, is next in the line of succession, and many are wondering when he will officially be crowned King.

The Royal Family tweeted that the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral Thursday afternoon, and the King and the Queen Consort will "remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow (Friday)."

When will Prince Charles officially be crowned the King of England?

He is already King, and it happened the moment his mother passed away, reported Men's Health. The immediate transfer of monarch status comes from an old common law rule, according to University College London's Constitution Unit. It is known as Rex nunquam moritur, which translates to "the king never dies."

Charles, 73, is the oldest British Royal to take the throne. His mother was 25 years when the death of her father, King George VI, made her the monarch.

As for Charles' wife, Camilla, she automatically became Queen when Charles became King, but her title isn't the same as Queen's. The wife of the reigning monarch is traditionally known as the Queen Consort. The Queen, technically the Queen Regnant, is a woman, who sits on the throne due to the pre-established familial line of succession and has sovereign power. Queen Elizabeth ascended when her father died, so she is a Queen. On the other hand, Camilla is becoming Queen Consort by marriage.

What did Queen Elizabeth say about Charles and Camilla becoming King and Queen?

On the even of her 70th anniversary on the throne, Queen Elizabeth told the public that she hoped they would support her son and his wife as King and Queen after her death. She added that when, in the fullness of time, "my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me." She said that it was her sincere wish that, "when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service."

When will King Charles' coronation take place?

King Charles' official coronation won't actually take place for "some months" after the accession. There will be a period of mourning for his mother and necessary preparations will be made. According to Town & Country magazine, a coronation is not necessary to become King. For instance, Edward VIII reigned as King without ever being crowned.

What can one expect at the coronation ceremony?

The coronation ceremony is all about tradition, and is a long, intricate process, according to i News. The UK Prime Minister, other leading members of the Commonwealth, senior members of the government and the Church of England will be in attendance.

The coronation ceremony will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The ceremony has remained relatively unchanged for more than 1000 years. The event will happen in London’s Westminster Abbey. It has been happening there for the past 900 years.

By reading the coronation oath, the Archbishop will first confirm Prince Charles’s acceptance of becoming King. He will be asked if he will govern the UK and other nations of the Commonwealth, and if he will do so with law and justice, and if he will maintain Christianity in the country.

Once King Charles is seated in the Coronation Chair, which is known as Edward’s Chair, he will hold the sovereign’s sceptre and rod to represent control of the country, and the sovereign’s orb to represent the Christian world. Then he will be anointed, blessed and consecrated by the Archbishop. He will then place the crown of St Edward on Charles’ head.