The institutions of the state have changed in turn. But,through all changes and challenges,our nation and the wider family of realms - of whose talents,traditions and achievements I am so inexpressibly proud - have prospered and flourished. Our values have remained,and must remain,constant.

The role and the duties of monarchy also remain,as does the sovereign’s particular relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England - the church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted.

In that faith,and the values it inspires,I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others,and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions,freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government.

As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion,I too now solemnly pledge myself,throughout the remaining time God grants me,to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation.

And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom,or in the realms and territories across the world,and whatever may be your background or beliefs,I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty,respect and love,as I have throughout my life.

My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities.

It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.

This is also a time of change for my family. I count on the loving help of my darling wife,Camilla.

In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage 17 years ago,she becomes my Queen Consort.

I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.

As my heir,William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me.

He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall which I have undertaken for more than five decades.

Today,I am proud to create him Prince of Wales,Tywysog Cymru,the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty.

With Catherine beside him,our new Prince and Princess of Wales will,I know,continue to inspire and lead our national conversations,helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.

I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.

In a little over a week’s time we will come together as a nation,as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community,to lay my beloved mother to rest.

In our sorrow,let us remember and draw strength from the light of her example.

On behalf of all my family,I can only offer the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support.

They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express.

And 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’.

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