New King is proclaimed in Wychavon
New King is proclaimed in Wychavon
Dignitaries and the public gathered outside the Civic Centre in Pershore on Sunday (11 September) to hear King Charles III officially proclaimed King in Wychavon.
Nicholas Wentworth Stanley, Deputy Lieutenant representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, His Majesty’s representative in the county, opened proceedings.
He told the crowd: “We come together this afternoon following the death of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth the Second. Our sadness at this time is shared by people across the globe, as we remember with affection and gratitude the lifetime of service given by our longest-reigning Monarch.
“But the basis on which our monarchy is built has ensured that through the centuries the Crown has passed in an unbroken line of succession. Today’s ceremony marks the formal Proclamation to the people of the County of Worcestershire of the beginning of our new King’s reign.”
Before reading the proclamation Cllr Alex Sinton, Chairman of Wychavon District Council, told those present: “In an age where modern methods of communication convey news around the globe in an instant, the proclamation is no longer the means by which people learn for the first time that they have a new Monarch.
“Today, however, is one of the first occasions when communities have an opportunity to come together and reflect on the moment in our nation’s history when the reign of our longest-serving Monarch came to an end and our new Sovereign succeeded.”
The proclamation was then read out before cheers of God Save The King.
Ali Duggan then led the crowd in singing the first verse of the national anthem before three cheers were given for His Majesty The King to end the event.
The Union Flag outside the Civic Centre was raised during the proclamation period and has now returned to half-mast where it will stay until after HM The Queen’s funeral.
Books of condolence are available to sign across Wychavon and will remain open until after Her Majesty’s funeral. Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk to find out more about how to pay tribute to HM The Queen in Wychavon.