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No heir has ever spent as long waiting to accede the throne. The future of the monarchy is in his hands – and he faces many tricky questions. Can he succeed?King Charles III has been waiting his whole life for this moment. At his birth 73 years ago he became second in line to the throne and for the past six decades, ever since his mother ascended the throne in 1952 when he was three, he has been the heir apparent.He was brought up, trained and endlessly coached for a job that has finally come to him at an age when most men want nothing more than a peaceful retirement; a time which, in his case, might have otherwise involved growing organic vegetables and painting watercolour landscapes. Continue reading...

Head of state role in doubt in realms from Jamaica to New Zealand after death of Queen Elizabeth II

The King also announced William and Kate would become Prince and Princess of Wales

Boris Johnson scandals, energy crisis – not to mention Brexit – have undermined Britain’s influenceThe prevailing view from America of post-Brexit, post-Elizabethan Britain is principally one of a country of declining influence which is in danger of sinking on the world stage as a result of mostly self-inflicted crises.The US news coverage of the day of the Queen’s death was overwhelmingly reverent, but by Friday there was already a backlash, pointing to the inseparable bond between the royal family and the country’s imperial past. Continue reading...

Saturday’s papers capture the King’s public display of deep affection for his mother, and his vow to make loyalty, respect and love the tenets of his reign

People on disability pensions say they should be able to work more without having their financial support reduced

Russia sends reinforcements to Kharkiv region amid Ukrainian counter-offensive; Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant situation increasingly precarious, says UN watchdog

Political violence breaks out in Mato Grosso state after argument between followers of rival presidential candidatesA supporter of Brazil’s far-right president Jair Bolsonaro has stabbed to death a backer of leftist former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in the latest instance of rising political tensions in the buildup to this year’s election.The violence happened in the west-central state of Mato Grosso, after tempers frayed during an argument over support for the two candidates. Bolsonaro trails Lula in the polls in an election riven by intense polarisation. Continue reading...

Police said the 44-year-old woman and 12-year-old girl were found at a home in village near SudburyA man has been arrested by police investigating the deaths of a mother and daughter who were found dead at a home near Sudbury in Suffolk.Suffolk constabulary said the 44-year-old woman and 12-year-old girl were found at a house in the village of Great Waldingfield on Thursday morning after police received reports of concerns for the safety of the occupants. Continue reading...

While some have offered unflinching takes on the damage of British colonisation, others say the monarch held ‘a special place’ in their hearts

Congregation of more than 2,000 people attends cathedral to listen to readings and sing hymns

Citizenship ceremony starts belatedly as officials adapt oath in moments following death of Queen Elizabeth IIRoberto Rocha was huddled with three others around a computer screen, as one of the friends prepared to become a Canadian citizen.The pandemic had derailed the pomp of an in-person swearing-in ceremony, leaving 140 excited, polite faces to meet instead on a Zoom screen. Continue reading...

The King’s first speech to the nation was telling of his hopes for his reign and how the royal family will operateKing Charles III’s first speech to the nation as sovereign contained telling passages showing how he hopes the public, in the UK and abroad, will see his forthcoming reign and how he wants the royal family to operate.The King said: “Queen Elizabeth’s was a life well-lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”“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.”“In the course of the last 70 years we have seen our society become one of many cultures and many faiths. The institutions of the state have changed in turn.” And he said: “Whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love.”“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.”“I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.” Continue reading...

Metropolitan police firearms officers fatally shot 24-year-old in Streatham Hill, south London, on MondayThe police watchdog has launched a homicide investigation into the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba by armed Metropolitan police officers in south London.The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said this followed its review of the evidence gathered so far after the incident in Streatham Hill on Monday night. Continue reading...

This live blog has now closed, you can find our latest coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war hereUkraine’s counteroffensive in Kharkiv has proved that it can drive Russia out of its territories, a key adviser in President Zelenskiy’s government has said.Writing on Twitter, Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the Head of the Office of President of Ukraine, said: “What does effective Ukrainian counteroffensive tell the world? Continue reading...

King speaks of ‘darling Mama’ Queen Elizabeth’s life well-lived; names William and Catherine Prince and Princess of Wales, and speaks of his love for Harry and Meghan“I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.“Queen Elizabeth’s was a life well-lived, a promise with destiny kept, and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today. Continue reading...

As the guns fired at Cardiff Castle, well-wishers speak of what the monarch meant to themFirst in the queue at Cardiff Castle to bag a good spot for the 96-round gun salute was Sara Rees, a 56-year-old radiographer, who waited patiently in the drizzle with her cockapoo, Teddy.Like many who attended, she had her own personal royal memories. “I first saw the Queen in 1977 at the time of her silver jubilee,” Rees said. “She came to Neath when I was 11. She opened a leisure centre, visited a factory and then she went to Margam Park. We all had a day off school and went and saw her. Everyone loved her. Continue reading...

People travelled from near and far to lay flowers and pay tribute to the Queen as Charles accedes to throne

Viewers can easily switch to streaming or social media if they tire of rolling updates and downbeat music

Ukrainian forces appear to be continuing speedy advance in Kharkiv region as ‘fierce battles’ rage

This live blog is now closed. You can read more on this week in politics here:

Thousands will line Royal Mile when monarch’s coffin is brought to Holyrood Palace

Loyalists and unionists grieve as politicians remember late monarch’s historic 2011 visit to Ireland

Joe Biden has reportedly confirmed attendance at event likely to involve UK’s biggest ever security operation• Britain mourns death of Queen Elizabeth - latest updatesLeaders and monarchs from around the world will attend the Queen’s state funeral in London later this month, congregating in Westminster Abbey for a solemn gathering on a scale seldom witnessed in recent decades.The funeral, which is expected to take place around 19 September in the same church where the Queen was crowned in 1953, will attract presidents, prime ministers, kings and queens as well as huge crowds from home and abroad. Continue reading...

Frasers Group to take up slot vacated by defence firm Meggitt, which was bought by US rivalMike Ashley’s retail empire is returning to the FTSE 100 after a six-year hiatus after the sale of a defence firm creates an opening for Frasers Group in the leading City share index.Frasers, which owns a host of high street brands including Sports Direct and House of Fraser, is poised to rejoin the index on Tuesday, taking up the slot vacated by Meggitt, which has been bought by a US defence rival, Parker Hannifin. Continue reading...

Mourners lay flowers and hand-written cards for monarch who ‘kept royal family going through thick and thin’At Windsor Castle on Friday, crowds gathered just outside the grounds with many people laying flowers and hand-written cards by theKing Henry VIII gate. Among them was Beryl McAvoy, 81, from Ealing, who had come to the same spot 25 years ago to lay flowers after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.“Thinking of the Queen, she was simply beautiful,” McAvoy says. “She’s always been there for everybody. It seems strange that she is not here any more. It’s been a long time.” Continue reading...

Samuel Leeds’s lawyers sent accusing letter to sister of soldier who killed himself but they deny he is stifling criticismA property investor who runs courses costing upwards of £10,000 to help people become “financially free” has been accused of using his wealth and the UK’s claimant-friendly libel laws to shut down criticism of his methods.Samuel Leeds’s solicitors’ Ellisons have issued legal proceedings or threats of lawsuits against at least 15 individuals or property websites that the Guardian is aware of.In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org. Continue reading...

Joshua Jacques pleads guilty to manslaughter of Dolet Hill, Denton Burke, Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo and Samantha DrummondsA man has admitted stabbing four members of the same family to death but has denied it was murder.Joshua Jacques pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Dolet Hill, 64; her husband, Denton Burke, 58; their daughter Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo, 45; and granddaughter Samantha Drummonds, 27. Continue reading...

Documents disclosed to high court case show repeated warnings about asylum processing planUntil the then home secretary Priti Patel and Rwanda’s foreign minister, Vincent Biruta, sat together at a table in Kigali on 14 April and signed a deal to send asylum seekers to the east African country, few thought the agreement would actually happen.Rumours had swirled for months about the controversial plans but nothing had come of previous Home Office ideas, both confirmed and unconfirmed, to halt the growing number of asylum seekers arriving in the UK on small boats, including wave machines in the Channel and a policy to turn around dinghies. Continue reading...

Ukraine’s counter-offensive in Kharkiv continues; ten people including three children injured as kindergarten shelled

Some choose to share for social reasons as stigma fades but many are priced out of living aloneMarie, 53, shares a flat with her friend and their family. It’s noisy and cramped and she’s desperate to move into her own place but she can’t. Rents are high in East Sussex, where she lives, and the property market is highly competitive, with estate agents prioritising dual-income families.“I’m looking all the time, I have to move,” she said. “It’s not conducive to my mental health or wellbeing here.” Continue reading...

Television, newspaper, social media and advert-placement companies limit ads for varying periods

Prime minister expected to head to Buckingham Palace before monarch makes televised address to nation

UN refugee agency urges authorities to end forced deportations as families say they are too scared to leave their homesThe Tajikistan authorities are rounding up Afghan refugees and forcing them to cross the border back into Afghanistan, despite some having been granted asylum in other countries.According to reports from Tajikistan’s 10,000-strong Afghan refugee community, people are being picked up off the street and houses raided in a spate of recent round-ups of Afghan families, who have been sheltering in the country since the Taliban seized power in August 2021. Continue reading...

Scottish actor who played the monarch in recent film Spencer on what she learned about the Queen from the experienceStella Gonet played the Queen on the big screen in Pablo Larraín’s Spencer, a drama set over Christmas in Sandringham in 1991, starring Kristen Stewart as Diana. Gonet reveals how she channelled the monarch for the role – and what other people’s reactions taught her about the real woman.

William Burns says Vladimir Putin ‘profoundly wrong in his assumptions’ as Kyiv’s counteroffensive continues

Jarosław Kaczyński, chair of Law and Justice party, said Polish politicians had ‘sacred duty’ to oppose ‘culturally alien’ EULeaders of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party appear intent on stoking an anti-EU and anti-German climate as it faces a battle in next year’s parliamentary elections.Speaking at an economic forum in Karpacz this week, Jarosław Kaczyński, the chair of Law and Justice (PiS) and the country’s de facto leader, went further than before in denouncing the EU as a culturally alien project led by a neo-imperialist Germany. He said it was “the sacred duty” of Polish politicians to oppose it. Continue reading...

Justin Welby says he thought monarch had hope in the future and knew the rock on which she stood

Representatives of Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu communities offer condolences after monarch’s death

Prime minister to meet new monarch as floral tributes are placed outside Buckingham Palace and elsewhere

After cancellation of Thursday evening’s event, BBC announces final two concerts of the eight-week season will not go aheadThe BBC has announced that both Friday and Saturday’s Proms have been cancelled. Saturday would have been the Last Night, the traditional celebration that concludes the eight-week classical music festival that takes place predominantly in the Royal Albert Hall.Although the Last Night has been modified in response to public events (the programme was changed in 1997 after the death of Diana Princess of Wales and in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks) this is the first time since the second world war that the final concert has not taken place at all. Continue reading...

Governor general says Queen ‘a symbol of stability, inspiration and servant leadership’ as PM calls 1954 visit ‘a defining moment in our nation’s historyThe death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the ascension of King Charles III as sovereign, has reanimated republican debate in Australia, as the country formally pays tribute to its longest-serving monarch, “a symbol of stability, inspiration and servant leadership”.Australia’s governor general, David Hurley, described the late monarch as an “example of selfless service, devotion to duty and compassion”. Continue reading...

Forces disengaging in Gogra-Hot Springs area as peace talks since 2020 clashes carry onIndian and Chinese troops have begun to pull back from another disputed Himalayan border area, as peace talks between senior military officials after deadly clashes in 2020 continue.The two defence ministries confirmed troops were disengaging from respective sides in the area of Gogra-Hot Springs, in a move “conducive to the peace and tranquillity in the border areas”. Continue reading...

NSW and Queensland suspend parliament as tributes flow for the Queen and King Charles III becomes monarch. Follow the latest updates live

As he mourns ‘cherished sovereign’, king will meet British PM and address the nation later on Friday

Christopher Collins pleaded guilty to 24 charges including financial deception offences, fraud and theftWithin hours of meeting Christopher Collins on Tinder, a Melbourne woman had been swindled of thousands of dollars, a court has heard.But that was just the beginning of her nightmare. As the court was told, weeks of manipulation followed, including threats of blackmail. Continue reading...

The union is seeking a 3.5% annual wage rise, with an additional cost of living supplement

Unions make decision ‘out of respect for her service to the country and her family’

Court hears coroner was granted access to unredacted police report that would only be included into evidence in redacted form