King Charles III graciously accepted kisses by overwhelmed fans who lined Buckingham Palace to get a glimpse of him and pay their respects to the late Queen.
The new King received a warm reception as he took the time to speak with the public on Friday afternoon while slowly making his way to the front gates of the palace.
He stepped out of his Bentley and moved through the crowd of thousands, stopping to shake hands and speak with people who had spent all morning awaiting his arrival.
Janny Assiminios was so overcome by emotion that she reached out and grabbed the King’s face before pulling him in for a kiss on the cheek.
While the act could be considered a breach of royal protocol, Charles was gracious in the moment and appeared to thank her.
Moments later, a second woman kissed his outstretched hand as he passed by.
Ms Assiminios later told CNN she asked the King permission before planting a kiss on his cheek.
‘To see him in front of me, I couldn’t believe it,’ she said with a grin after the kiss.
‘I said to him, ”may I kiss you?” and he said ”well yes”, so I grabbed him… I’m very happy, very, very much, that I got to see him and kiss him.’
The King became more emotional as the crowd cheered ‘God Save The King’.
One woman kissed King Charles’ outstretched hand as he made his way through the crowds
Janny Assiminios was so overcome by emotion that she reached out and grabbed his face before pulling him in for a kiss on the cheek
Ms Assiminios later clarified she asked the King permission before planting a kiss on his cheek
Ms Assiminios was excited to meet the King and to have such a close interaction with him
King Charles III and the Queen view tributes left outside Buckingham Palace
Thousands of well wishers and mourners gathered outside Buckingham Palace to pay their respects to the late Queen and catch a glimpse of the new King
In emotional scenes, an impromptu rendition of the National Anthem broke out as the Royal Standard was raised above Buckingham Palace for the first time of his reign.
He made an effort to address as many people in the crowd as possible, and accepted a single rose from one of the many well wishers who brought flowers along for the occasion.
In total, he spent 12 minutes with the public outside palace gates.
Film director Raynald Leconte, 47, who is from New York, said he was lucky enough to speak to the King and Queen Consort outside Buckingham Palace.
‘It was quite a moment,’ he said. ‘I said, ”condolences”. He said, ”really, really thank you very much”. And to his wife I wished her good luck and she said, ”thank you very much”. I think she said, ”I’ll need it”.’
Charles was well received by well wishers who lined the streets to meet with him
King Charles III views floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II
Among the crowds, retired Ammar Al-Baldawi, 64, from Hertfordshire, said: ‘It was impressive, touching, a good move to come out to the crowds.
‘I think that’s where the royal family needs to communicate with the people now. These are true loyalists here and it’s nice to see him back in post, taking charge of the family and the Crown, which is reassuring.’
Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace with Charles but maintained a distance as he greeted the public and accepted their well wishes.
She returned to his side to appreciate the bouquets of flowers and handwritten notes left at the palace gates.
Police had moved the crowds back from the main entrance of Buckingham Palace at about 1.30pm in anticipation of the King’s visit, with officers creating a 30ft pathway between the crowds and the bouquets of flowers.
Charles and his wife Camilla landed at RAF Northolt just after 1.30pm after leaving Balmoral, where they had stayed overnight after racing up to be at the late Queen’s bedside.
The King will meet Prime Minister Liz Truss this afternoon, before making a televised speech to the nation at 6pm.
King Charles received a warm reception from the public on arrival at Buckingham Palace on Friday
King Charles III is greeted by well-wishers during a walkabout at Buckingham Palace
Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace with Charles but maintained a distance as he greeted the public and accepted their well wishes
Members of the royal family had made the urgent dash to be with the frail monarch as her health failed yesterday.
The Firm made an announcement of her ‘peaceful’ death at 6.30pm at Balmoral, which is considered one of her favourite residences. She and her late husband, Prince Philip, often spent the summer there.
Prince William – now using the title of the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge – left Balmoral just before 1pm and is travelling back to Windsor to be with his family ahead of the Accession Council, Kensington Palace said.
Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, still remain at the estate.
‘During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held,’ Charles said in a statement on Thursday night.
Charles was by his mother’s side for much of the day after catching the royal helicopter from Dumfries House in Ayrshire with his wife Camilla.
Charles took a moment of solitude to examine the floral tributes left for his beloved mother at Buckingham Palace
The new King and Queen Consort headed for Buckingham Palace after leaving Balmoral
His younger sister Princess Anne was already at Balmoral after royal duties also took her to Scotland.
They were joined by other senior members of the Royal Family including Her Majesty’s other two children, Andrew and Edward, and Prince William.
The family rushed to the Queen’s Scottish residence after an unprecedented statement from her doctors revealed they were ‘concerned’ about her health and were keeping her under medical supervision.
Charles is becoming monarch at 73 years old, nearly half a decade older than the Queen was when she found herself in the same position.
He is likely to launch a radical overhaul of the monarchy in the wake of his mother’s death, having frequently spoken about a slimmed-down front-line.
Do you know the woman who kissed King Charles’ hand? Email brittany.chain@mailonline.com
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla embrace one another while looking at the floral tributes
Thousands turned out to greet the new King and he made an effort to shake as many hands as possible
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace in a Bentley on Friday afternoon
Emotional crowds gathered to get a glimpse of the King, who appeared equally moved by the commitment
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