Charles Becomes King, Issues Statement Mourning Loss of Queen

Britain's Prince Charles and Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, in the background, leave after attending the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 9, 2020. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photo

Queen Elizabeth II’s son and the new king of the United Kingdom, Charles, released a statement mourning his mother’s death on Thursday.

Charles was immediately referred to as king by Buckingham Palace, which announced Elizabeth’s death on Thursday evening local time. Camila, his wife, was referred to as queen consort.