VOA新闻杂志2022--英国哀悼女王，查尔斯成为英国国王

As Britain Mourns Queen, Charles Rises to King

Bells rang across Britain on Friday and mourners gathered in London and other places to honor Queen Elizabeth II. She died Thursday at the age of 96, after 70 years as the country's ruler.

Around the world, her exceptional reign¹ is being remembered, celebrated², and debated. Many are also considering what the future will look like with the new king, Charles III.

The British monarchy⁴'s rules state that "a new sovereign succeeds to the throne as soon as his or her predecessor⁵ dies." So, as Elizabeth's first son, Charles became king immediately upon her death.

Charles has spent much of his 73 years preparing to be king. On his first full day of duties, the King met in London with Prime Minister Liz Truss. Queen Elizabeth had officially appointed Truss earlier in the week.

Charles arrived at Buckingham Palace, the monarch³'s London home, to cheers from crowds nearby. His wife Camilla, now queen consort⁶, was by his side. Shouts of "Well done, Charlie!" were heard. The crowd began singing the national song, God Save the King. One woman gave Charles a kiss on the cheek.

Later Friday, Charles gave his first speech to the nation as king.

He said he feels "profound sorrow" over the death of his mother and promised to carry on her "lifelong service" to the nation. His speech was broadcast on television and streamed at St. Paul's Cathedral, where some 2,000 people were attending a service of remembrance for the queen.

Mourners at the service included Truss and members of her government.

The new king is expected to travel around the country in the coming days. The queen's body will be brought to London, to lie in state before a funeral at Westminster Abbey, expected around September 19.

As prince, Charles lost some public support when he and the late Princess Diana ended their marriage. Some also say he stretched the rules that bar the monarchy from intervening in public affairs. He entered into public debate on issues such as environmental protection and preservation⁷ of historic buildings.

"He now finds himself in, if you like, the autumn of his life, having to think carefully about how he projects his image as a public figure," said historian Ed Owens. "He's nowhere near as popular as his mother, " Owens said.

Charles' rise to the throne is likely to fuel debate about the future of Britain's monarchy. Some see the monarchy as a sign of national unity⁸ and others as an outdated⁹ system that should end.

Charles, who will be the head of state for Britain and 14 other countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, has defended his past actions. He has said his interest and involvement in public issues was aimed at "motivating" people, or moving them to take action.

Charles also said, however, that as king he would not be able to interfere¹⁰ in politics because a sovereign's duties are different from those of the Prince of Wales.

He has said he plans to reduce costs for the monarchy and better represent modern Britain.

His mother was Britain's longest-ruling monarch. She represented dependability during many crises that affected¹¹ her, the monarchy and the country.

Whether Charles will be as loved by his subjects as was Queen Elizabeth II remains¹² to be seen. For now, Britain will continue to mourn her passing.

Words in This Story

reign –n. the rule of a king, queen or emperor over a country

sovereign –n. a king or queen

monarch –n. a person who rules a kingdom or an empire

sorrow –n. a feeling of sadness or grief

figure –n. a person who has some kind of position are is considered in a certain way

1 reign   

n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势

参考例句：

• The reign of Queen Elizabeth lapped over into the seventeenth century.伊丽莎白王朝延至17世纪。
• The reign of Zhu Yuanzhang lasted about 31 years.朱元璋统治了大约三十一年。

2 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

3 monarch   

n.帝王，君主，最高统治者

参考例句：

• The monarch's role is purely ceremonial.君主纯粹是个礼仪职位。
• I think myself happier now than the greatest monarch upon earth.我觉得这个时候比世界上什么帝王都快乐。

4 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

5 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

6 consort   

v.相伴；结交

参考例句：

• They went in consort two or three together.他们三三两两结伴前往。
• The nurses are instructed not to consort with their patients.护士得到指示不得与病人交往。

7 preservation   

n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持

参考例句：

• The police are responsible for the preservation of law and order.警察负责维持法律与秩序。
• The picture is in an excellent state of preservation.这幅画保存得极为完好。

8 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

9 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。

10 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

11 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

12 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。