His Majesty King Charles III acceded to the throne immediately and automatically upon the death of his mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022). His Majesty was formally proclaimed as King Charles The Third at the Accession Council convened at St James’s Palace in London on 9 September 2022.

Each of The Commonwealth realms also formally proclaimed His Majesty The King.¹ Australia’s Governor-General, His Excellency the Hon David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), proclaimed the accession of His Majesty King Charles III as King of Australia and his other Realms and Territories, and Head of the Commonwealth on 11 September 2022 at Australian Parliament House.

This Proclamation was made following a meeting of the Federal Executive Council and was signed by the Governor-General and the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP.

The Proclamation reads:

Whereas because of the death of our blessed and glorious Queen Elizabeth the Second, the Crown has solely and rightfully come to Prince Charles Philip Arthur George:

We, therefore, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and members of the Federal Executive Council, do now proclaim Prince Charles Philip Arthur George to be King Charles the Third, By the Grace of God King of Australia and his other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, and with hearty and humble affection, we promise him faith and obedience.

May King Charles the Third have long and happy years to reign over us.

Given at Canberra, this eleventh day of September, Two thousand and twenty two, and in the first year of His Majesty’s reign.

Signed by me, as Governor-General and counter-signed by my command, by the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.

God Save the King.

Large crowds attended the reading of the Proclamation by the Governor-General on the Forecourt of Parliament House.

Governor-General, His Excellency the Hon David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) reading the Proclamation of King Charles III on the Forecourt of Australian Parliament House. Image courtesy of AUSPIC/DPS.

The ceremony included the performance of Australia’s national anthem and the royal anthem, a Welcome to Country from Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan, a smoking ceremony, a performance by the Yukembruk dance group with songman Billy T, and a four-cannon military 21-gun salute by the Federation Guard of the Australian Defence Force.

The four-cannon military 21-gun salute for the Proclamation of King Charles III at Australian Parliament House after the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Image courtesy of AUSPIC/DPS.

The Proclamation of King Charles III marks the first proclamation of a monarch in Australia since 8 February 1952 when former Governor-General Sir William John McKell stood on the steps of Old Parliament House to proclaim the accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.²

In acknowledgement of each state’s individual relationship with the monarchy, separate proclamations announcing the accession of His Majesty King Charles III were also delivered by the governors of NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia and the Administrator of the Northern Territory on 11 September 2022, and the governor of Victoria on 12 September 2022.

View the Proclamation of King Charles III here.

References
1. Torrance, D. The death of a monarch, House of Commons Library UK Parliament, London, 8 September 2022, UK Parliament website https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9372/CBP-9372.pdf Sections 4.1 and 4.4 Pages: 34, 37 as viewed on 29 September 2023.
2. The Northern Star (NSW: 1876-1954), Elizabeth Proclaimed Queen of Australia, p.1, 9 Feb 1952, National Library of Australia.