Proclamations declaring King Charles III as the new monarch have been read out across Nottinghamshire as the county's dignitaries paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II. King Charles automatically became the new head of state upon the sad death of his mother at Balmoral on Thursday (September 9).
But King Charles was then formally proclaimed at a meeting of the Accession Council on Saturday (September 10), allowing the first proclamation of his reign to take place at St James's Palace. Following that, proclamations were read out at locations across the UK.
In Nottinghamshire, proclamations were read out in every one of the county's districts, with the first event taking place in West Bridgford outside the home of Nottinghamshire County Council. There, Sir John Peace, the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, led the tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II whilst the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Paul Southby, delivered the proclamation of the King.
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Speaking at the West Bridgford event, Sir John Peace said: "This is a historic day for Nottinghamshire. As the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, I would like to express what I believe we're all feeling here, profound sadness at the loss of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II.
"Her commitment to duty is unsurpassed and it is with huge pride that I look back at her many visits to Nottinghamshire during her seven decades as our monarch. She was much loved, admired and respected."
One of those attending the West Bridgford event was Nottinghamshire county councillor Neil Clarke, who said: "The significance of today and the proclamation made by the high sheriff is that by tradition, in the old days before technology or anything like that, the only way to spread the word around the land was by making a proclamation and then carrying that on and giving that to the towns and villages.
"They in turn could tell the people in the land that there was a new king. Obviously I was incredibly sad when I heard of the death of The Queen. But very quickly I was looking back on her reign and thinking of all the marvellous, fantastic things she has achieved and wanting to really join in celebrating the whole of her life.
"Bearing in mind at the age of 21 she made that pledge to devote the whole of her life to the service of the people and my goodness, hasn't she really fulfilled that pledge. She has definitely given her whole life to the service of the people and working right up until her very last days. What an amazing lady."
A proclamation of the accession of His Majesty King Charles III also took place in Old Market Square at 2pm on Sunday. The proclamation was delivered by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Wendy Smith, in front of the Council House where she was joined by Sir John Peace, Mr Southby and other dignitaries.
A city council spokesperson said the flag on the Council House, which is currently flying at half-mast, will be raised to full-mast for the two days of national and local proclamations on Saturday and Sunday. It will then return to half-mast and will remain so until 8am the day after the funeral.
Councillor David Walters, the Chairman of Ashfield District Council, said at their ceremony: "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 its unbroken line of succession."
Councillor Sue Saddington, the Chairman of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: "I was honoured to deliver the Newark and Sherwood Proclamation of the Accession of His Majesty King Charles III at Castle House this afternoon. While we remember the lifetime of devoted service and duty given by our longest reigning Monarch, today's ceremony also marked the formal Proclamation to the people of the Newark and Sherwood district to mark the beginning of our new King's reign."
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