Members of the British Cabinet will have their first meeting with King Charles III on Saturday, just days after the country’s Prime Minister Liz Truss formed her new government.

Senior ministers will attend the Accession Council at St James’s Palace in London where Charles will be formally proclaimed sovereign.

Later they will travel to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the monarch.

Ms Truss, who was invited to form a government by the late Queen on Tuesday, had her initial audience with the King on Friday.

The prime minister curtsied as she was ushered in by a Palace aide for the first of what will be their regular weekly encounters.

As she offered her condolences, the king shook her hand and thanked her, saying: “You are very kind for coming – I know how busy you are.”

He added: “But it’s been so touching this afternoon when we arrived here, all those people come to give their condolences.”

Ms Truss again repeated: “Your Majesty, my very greatest sympathies.”

He replied: “You are very kind. It was the moment I have been dreading, as I know a lot of people have.

“We’ll try to keep everything going. Come, come have a seat.”

Earlier, the prime minister had led tributes to the Queen in the House of Commons as she urged the country to support its new monarch. 

(dpa/NAN)