London: King Charles III was officially proclaimed as Britain’s monarch Saturday, in a pomp-filled ceremony steeped in ancient tradition and political symbolism. He said in his first speech that he would serve the country for life like his mother, and tie his "deep-rooted" Christian faith and values to his duty and traditions.

King Charles also professed his intention to continue to embrace the values and faith embodied by his late mother, who reigned for 70 years.

Charles, who spent seven decades as heir apparent, automatically became king when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died on Thursday, but the accession ceremony was a key constitutional and ceremonial step in introducing the new monarch to the country, a relic of a time before mass communications.

"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," he said.

He said that he was deeply saddened by the death of his mother, who was an inspiration and role model for him and all his family members.

The 73-year-old grandfather of five added that his Christian faith will inspire his service to the people of the United Kingdom.

The king's speech was broadcast on television and streamed at St. Paul's Cathedral, where some 2,000 people attended a service of remembrance for the queen. They included Prime Minister Liz Truss and officials in her government.

As the country began a 10-day mourning period, people around the globe gathered at British embassies to pay homage to the queen.
In London and at military sites across the United Kingdom, cannons fired 96 shots in an elaborate, 16-minute salute marking each year of the queen's life.

Charles, who became the monarch immediately upon his mother's death, will be formally proclaimed king at a ceremony on Saturday. He is expected to tour the United Kingdom in the coming days.

The queen's coffin will be brought to London, where she will lie in state before a funeral at Westminster Abbey, expected around Sept. 19.

On the king's first full day of duties, Charles left Balmoral and flew to London for a meeting with Truss, appointed by the queen just two days before her death.

He arrived at Buckingham Palace, the monarch's London home, for the first time as sovereign, emerging from the official state Bentley limousine alongside Camilla, the queen consort, to shouts from the crowd of "Well done, Charlie!" and the singing of the national anthem, now called “God Save the King.” One woman gave him a kiss on the cheek.

The changing of the guard comes at a time when many Britons are facing an energy crisis, the soaring cost of living, the war in Ukraine and the fallout from Brexit.

He also spoke about his son Prince William, who is now heir to the throne, in the middle of his speech. The title of Prince of Wales, long held by King Charles, has been handed over to Prince William. In his speech, he also remembered his son Hari, who was away due to some family issues.

A number of sporting and cultural events were cancelled as a mark of respect for the Queen, and some businesses - including Selfridges department store and Legoland amusement park - were closed. The Bank of England postponed its meeting for a week.

In Ireland, some soccer fans cheered.

For some, Elizabeth was a queen whose coronation glittered with shards of a stunning 3,106-carat diamond pulled from grim southern African mines, a monarch who inherited an empire they resented. Across Africa, nations rejected British rule and chose independence in her first decade on the throne.

Queen Elizabeth's face has been depicted on British banknotes and coins for decades. Her portrait is also featured on the currencies of dozens of places around the world as a reminder of the colonial expansion of the British Empire.

The Queen's portrait on British notes and coins is expected to be replaced by a likeness of the new King Charles III, but it won't be immediately.

"Current banknotes featuring the image of Her Majesty The Queen will continue to be legal tender," the Bank of England said. An announcement on existing paper money issued by the U.K.'s central bank will be made after the official 10-day mourning period has ended, it said.

"Rather than all of the current coins and notes being handed in, the process will be a gradual one and many of the coins featuring portraits of Queen Elizabeth II will remain in circulation for many years to come," according to Coin Expert, a British coin research website.