20th September 2022 | News in your area

The Proclamation of the Accession of His Majesty King Charles III in Surrey

At 1pm on Sunday 11th September the High Sheriff of Surrey read read out the Proclamation of the Accession of the new monarch on the steps of Guildford Cathedral. (The Proclamation may be watched on YouTube https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ilBfyk5AGf0) later that day the Surrey Boroughs, Districts and Town Councils held their Proclamation Ceremonies to formally mark King Charles III Accession to the Throne. Surrey County Council also held a small ceremony on Monday 12th.

The ceremony marks the formal Proclamation to the people of the County of Surrey of the beginning of our new King’s reign. The Accession Council met at St. James’s Palace to proclaim our new Sovereign. The flags which had flown at half-mast since The Queen’s death were raised briefly to their full height to mark the start of His Majesty’s reign. The Accession Council also made an Order requiring High Sheriffs to cause the Proclamation to be read in the areas of their jurisdiction. The proclamation of the new Sovereign is a very old tradition which can be traced back over many centuries. The ceremony does not create a new King. It is simply an announcement of the accession which took place immediately on the death of the reigning monarch. 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. On 11th September, communities had 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 and Thanksgiving ceremony to mark the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II and the proclamation of HRH King Charles III, Guildford Cathedral, Guildford, Surrey PICTURES BY STEVE PORTER
The Proclamation and Thanksgiving ceremony to mark the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II and the proclamation of HRH King Charles III, Guildford Cathedral, Guildford, Surrey PICTURES BY STEVE PORTER

Farnham

The Proclamation of King Charles III at Farnham Town Hall by the Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Alan Earwaker was witnessed by Deputy Lieutenant Bill Biddell, the Rt Revd Dr Christopher Herbert, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt, Superintendent Fash Mohamaddi and a crowd of around 300 following a fanfare by the Alder Valley Brass Band.  The short ceremony included prayers for the late Queen and her family in mourning and prayers for the new King.  The short ceremony concluded with the National Anthem and three cheers for the new King.

Guildford

Crowds gathered in the sun around the steps of Holy Trinity Church in our High Street on Sunday at 3pm to hear the borough’s official announcement of His Majesty King Charles III. The council robed and processed from the Guildhall to the steps of Holy Trinity Church at 2.50pm. After an introduction from the Revd Canon Robert Cotton, the Church’s choir sang ‘View Me Lord’. Mayor Cllr Dennis Booth then read the Proclamation words to the people of Guildford who had gathered there at 3pm. Finally, Simon Persin of the Friary Brass Band played a verse of the National Anthem and all sang.

The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Dennis Booth was joined by the Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Revd Canon Robert Cotton, Leader of the Council Cllr Joss Bigmore, Deputy Lieutenant Jane Macaulay (who represented the Lord Lieutenant), Councillors, Angela Richardson MP, Joint Strategic Director Dawn Hudd, Local Veterans and our local Service Organisations, our Hon. Freemen, Aldermen and Officers

Woking

Hundreds of local residents joined the Mayor of Woking, Cllr Saj Hussain; Deputy Lieutenant, Shahid Azeem; Member of Parliament for Woking, Jonathan Lord; elected councillors; Woking Borough Council officials; faith leaders; emergency services representatives and local RAF cadets for the proclamation of King Charles III. Following the proclamation, Almac Bisley Brass Band played a rousing rendition of the national anthem, before spontaneous applause concluded the ceremony.

Runnymede

The Mayor of Runnymede, Cllr. Margaret was honoured to read the proclamation at the Civic Centre in Addlestone.  Tributes were paid during the service by Dr Ben Spencer, MP, Runnymede Borough Commander, Insp James Wyatt, Past Mayors and Runnymede Councillors. Deputy Lieutenants Nick Wood Dow & Paul Layzell were also in attendance.

Waverley

The ceremony was held in Waverley’s Council Chamber where the Accession Proclamation was read by The Mayor of Waverley, Councillor John Ward and attended by Louise Fleming, Democratic Services & Business Support Team Manager, Tom Horwood, Joint Chief Executive of Guildford and Waverley, Bridget Biddell, Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, Councillor John Ward, the Mayor of Waverley, Councillor Penny Rivers, the Deputy Mayor of Waverley, Councillor Paul Follows, Leader of the Council and Councillor Peter Clark, Deputy Leader of the Council.

Horley

Horley’s Local Proclamation was held at Horley Recreation Ground. The ceremony marked the earlier Proclamation in the day to the people of the Borough of Reigate & Banstead of the beginning of the new Sovereign’s reign.

At the ceremony, Town Mayor, Cllr Samantha Marshall delivered the Proclamation reading and she was accompanied by deputy Town Mayor, Cllr Hannah Avery.  Samantha gave a poignant speech combined with heartfelt emotion on the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth ll who had devoted her life to the nation as British Monarch in such an exemplary way.  Reverend Canon Les Wells further gave a meaningful address with prayers and representatives of the Horley Branch of the Royal British Legion were also present.

The Ornamental Gardens, recently renamed ‘The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Gardens’ had reached high attendance, creating an air of utmost reverence by everyone present.  The Town Council was humbled to see such a large turn-out of people of all generations and walks of life congregating together in the evening sunshine. Amongst the attendees were residents and community representatives together with the Reigate & Banstead Mayor and Mayoress, county and borough Members, local scout groups and police officers.  

Reigate & Banstead

Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s proclamation of the new King was read by the Mayor, Cllr Frank Kelly, at the Harlequin Theatre, Redhill.

The proclamation was live streamed, and a recording can be viewed on the Council’s website: www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/proclamation

Guests included, Mayoress Mrs Ann Kelly,   Deputy Mayor, Cllr Rosemary Absalom, Deputy Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Tony Guthrie, Lt (SCC) Peter Bishop RNR Reigate Sea Cadets, Cadets from Reigate Sea Cadets, Reigate Unit No. 281 T.S. Ark Royal, Cllr Mark Brunt, Leader of the Council, Mari Roberts-Wood, Managing Director of the Council, Mayor’s Chaplain Rev Mick Hough (Holy Trinity Church Redhill) and Macebearer, past Mayors and Consorts, Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen, the Right Honourable Crispin Blunt MP, Borough and County Councillors, local military and veterans groups, representatives of Surrey Police and Fire Services, and members of the public.

Spelthorne

The proclamation was read by The Mayor of Spelthorne – Cllr Susan Doran.

In attendance was Deputy Lieutenant Nicholas Wood-Dow, Spelthorne Borough Councillors, including; Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council – Cllr John Boughtflower , Cllr Robin Sider BEM, Spelthorne County Councillors, Deputy Chief Executive Terry Collier, Council Officers and residents of Spelthorne.

To view The Proclamation in Spelthorne visit: youtu.be/p8uwaBC1WGs  

Epsom & Ewell

The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Cllr Clive Woodbridge read the proclamation in the Council Chamber at Epsom Town Hall alongside Deputy Lieutenant, Michael Hayman MBE, The Mayor’s chaplain, the Reverend Sue Ayling, the Interim Chief Executive of Epsom and Ewell, Jackie King, and the Mayoress, Mary Woodbridge. Also present were the Rt. Hon Chris Grayling MP, Honorary Freeman, Michael Arthur, Chief Inspector Alan Sproston and Borough Commander, James Dawborn, representatives from the Police Service, Epsom and Ewell Borough Councillors and members of the public.  Additionally around 40 people  watched the reading of the proclamation via the live stream broadcast.

Surrey County Council

The Chair of Surrey County Council, Helyn Clack read the Proclamation on behalf of Surrey County Council to a small audience at Woodhatch Place. The reading took place in the Council Chamber and a small number of guests were present including the Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Chair, Deputy Lieutenants, Leader, Members and CLT.

After the 1-minute silence, the Chair read the Proclamation of the Accession of King Charles III and this was followed by the Elmbridge Community Choir singing the National Anthem Leader, Tim Oliver then closed the event by leading everyone in three cheers for King Charles III.

Elmbridge

The Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor Simon Waugh, announced the Proclamation in the Council Chamber in Esher with the Macebearer, Colin George.  The Proclamation was webcast for the residents of Elmbridge and was attended by Elmbridge Borough Councillors and Officers.

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