A crowd of several hundred gathered  around Brightlingsea’s Memorial Gardens on Sunday (September 11) to hear the formal Proclamation declaring King Charles III as the new monarch.

Town mayor Mick Barry led the traditional ceremony, which is carried out by order of the Accession Council – which met the day before in St  James’ Palace to proclaim the new sovereign.  The Council requires all the High Sheriffs across the UK to ensure that the Proclamation is read in the areas of their jurisdiction.

“We come together this afternoon following the passing of our late sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II,” said Cllr Barry. “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.”

He continued: “Only a few months ago we were fortunate to be able to unite as a community and celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee; the beacon lighting, civic festivities ans street parties were simple collective demonstrations of our love, respect and admiration for our Queen, who had been on the throne for most of our lifetimes.”

After the crowd was asked to observe two minutes’ silence, and prayers were said by the Rev Sandy Hicks and the Rev Caroline Beckett, Cllr Barry read the Proclamation. A rousing cheer of “God Save the King” rang out across Victoria Place, followed by a verse of the national anthem.

The Proclamation

Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George: We, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm and Members of the House of Commons, together with other members of Her late Majesty’s Privy Council and representatives of the Realms and Territories, Aldermen and Citizens of London, and others, do now hereby with one voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and Obedience with humble Affection; beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do reign to bless His Majesty with long and happy Years to reign over us.
Given at St. James’s Palace this tenth day of September in the year of Our Lord twenty thousand and twenty-two.

Watch a video of the proceedings here.

Book of Condolence

A book of condolence for Brightlingsea residents in St James’ church, and in the run-up to the Queen’s funeral – now set for Monday, September 19 – various services and other events will be taking place and are listed below:

• Monday 12th – Monday 26th September
  • St. James Church open between 9:00 and 18:00 daily for candle lighting, with book of condolences and Wednesdays 10:00 Communion service with prayers for the Royal family. Usual events will continue around this.
  • St. Sabina’s Church open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 8:00-8:45 – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and 9:00 – Mass with prayers for the Royal family
• Sunday 18th September
  • 8:00-8:45 St. Sabina’s Church – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
  • 8:00-9:00 St. James Church – Morning prayer with prayers for the Royal family
  • 9:00 St. Sabina’s Church – Sunday Mass prayers for the Royal family
  • 9:45-10:45 St. James’ Church – Communion service with prayers for the Royal family
  • 11:00-12:00 St. James’ Church – Sparklers Sunday School
  • 12:30-20:00 St. James’ Church – Church open for candle lighting, with book of condolences
  • 10:30-11:30 Oasis Church, Community Centre main hall – service with reflection and prayers for the Royal family
  • 10:30-11:30 United Church – Communion service with prayers for the Royal family
  • 13:00-14:00 St. James’ Church – tolling the bell for 1 hour in honour of our late Queen – anyone from the community can take a turn tolling the bell as part of this historic moment
  • 14:00-15:00 St. James’ Church – Civic service for the whole town to mark the death of our Queen and give thanks for her life of service, and also to pray for Charles our King, and for the Royal family.

Arrangements for the day of the Queen’s funeral to be confirmed.