King Charles III made his first public appearance as monarch with an impromptu walkabout at Buckingham Palace, just a day after the Queen’s death.
Joined by his Queen Consort, he was driven from Balmoral to Edinburgh, then flown to RAF Northolt, and finally driven to his new official residence in the state Rolls-Royce.
The King, looking sombre in a dark suit and black tie, shook hands with many of the hundreds of mourners gathered outside the Palace forecourt, who greeted him with cheers and cries of: “God bless the King!”
Some openly wept, telling him: “We’re so sorry,” and: “We’re so sorry for your loss.”
Victoria Binley, 51, from Rutland, grabbed the King’s hand and kissed it.
“You are so kind,” responded the monarch.
There were other shouts of: “We…