Prince Williams has paid tribute to King Charles III at the concert coronation concert on Sunday.
Prince William praised his “Pa,” King Charles III, adding, “We are all so proud of you,” evoking the memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
A day of street festivities and community luncheon celebrations of King Charles III in the UK came to an end with the coronation concert.
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In a lighthearted opening statement, William assured the audience that, unlike the event’s musical guest Lionel Richie, he wouldn’t “go on all night long” with his speech.
William claimed that all he wanted to do was “say a few words about my father and why I believe this weekend is so important.”
“For all that celebrations are magnificent, at the heart of the pageantry is a simple message: Service. My father’s first words on entering Westminster Abbey yesterday were a pledge of service,” Prince William remarked.
“It was a pledge to continue to serve. Because for over 50 years, in every corner of the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world, he [King Charles] has dedicated himself to serve others, both current and future generations, and those whose memory must not be neglected,” the prince continued.
William highlighted the King’s commitment to environmental causes, saying the King “warned us of the risks to our planet’s health long before it was an everyday issue.”
He also commended the King’s charitable contributions through his foundation, the Prince’s Trust, which William said “has supported over a million young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, to realize their ambitions.”
“Pa, we are all so proud of you,” the prince said, addressing the King directly.
Prince William wrapped up his brief speech by thanking the “millions of people who serve in the forces, in classrooms, hospital wards and local communities,” giving his own pledge to “serve [them] all.”
On Saturday, well-wishers thronged the streets of London as King Charles III was crowned at Westminster Abbey.