On the one-year anniversary of <a href="https://vt.co/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-has-passed-away">Queen Elizabeth II</a>'s death, <a href="https://vt.co/news/king-charles-iiis-touching-handwritten-note-seen-on-top-of-his-mothers-coffin">King Charles III</a> has addressed the nation with a poignant statement dedicated to his mother. <a href="https://vt.co/news/uk/queen-elizabeth-iis-funeral-will-be-a-bank-holiday">The Queen</a> passed away on September 8, 2022, and what followed was a period of mourning not only in the UK but across the world. Having been the longest-serving Monarch of all time, many hadn't known a life without the Queen making public appearances, so it took some adjustment to see Charles take the crown. Although his coronation wasn't until the following May, he became King the moment that his mother passed away - so exactly a year on, he has shared a short statement that will be aired to the UK and Commonwealth countries later today. <img class="size-full wp-image-1263227516" src="https://img.vt.co/2023/09/GettyImages-1175861027.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="698" />[[imagecaption|| King Charles ascended to the throne following the passing of the Queen. Credit: Paul Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty]] As per the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66743793" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>, the statement reads: "In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty's death and my accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service, and all she meant to so many of us. "I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all." The written message from the King will also be accompanied by an audio version, as is the custom for Monarch's addressing the nation. Along with the statement is a never-before-released image of Queen Elizabeth II from 1968 taken by the photographer Cecil Beaton. The queen is seen standing sideways wearing her Garter robes, along with the Grand Duchess Vladimir's Tiara which consists of 15 interlaced diamond circles. The larger Royal Family will not be together to mark the anniversary of their matriarch's passing, as the King and Queen Camilla will attend the Crathie Kirk church in Scotland for private prayers. The Prince and Princess of Wales will be spending the day in Wales and are due to commemorate the Queen during a private ceremony in St Davids Cathedral. <img class="size-full wp-image-1263227517" src="https://img.vt.co/2023/09/GettyImages-1394204506.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />[[imagecaption|| The Queen passed away a year ago today. Credit: Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty]] As reported by the BBC, the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also paid tribute to the late Queen on her anniversary, noting that her impact "only seems greater" a year after her death. "Her devotion to the nations of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth only seems deeper," he penned. "And our gratitude for such an extraordinary life of duty and dedication only continues to grow." "People across the UK - whether they had the good fortune to meet Her late Majesty or not - will be reflecting today on what she meant to them and the example she set for us all," he went on while noting that he was struck by her "wisdom" and "sharp wit". Prince Harry will also be spending the day thinking about his late grandmother, saying that she "is looking down on all of us". Our thoughts are with those taking a moment today to reflect on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. <h6>Featured image credit: Hannah McKay - WPA Pool/Getty</h6>

King Charles III addresses the nation on anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death

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