Although Charles became King automatically on the death of his mother, a formal proclamation was made in London at the weekend, which was also read out in most districts and boroughs around the country.
King Charles III was formally proclaimed by the Accession Council ceremony at St. James’s Palace on Saturday, officially marking the start of his reign following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Proclamation ceremonies then took place across the country following the formal accession.
In Tunbridge Wells, the flag on the Town Hall, which had been lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect for Her Majesty’s death, was temporarily raised again for the proclamation ceremony, which took place on Sunday at 3pm.
In attendance was the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Chief Executive of the council, William Benson, The Mayor’s Mace Bearer, Mark Callaghan as well as Mrs Georgie Warner, Kent’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant who represents Tunbridge Wells.
A crowd of around 300 people gathered – the first people to witness a proclamation in the town for 70 years – while Cllr Godfrey Bland, the Mayor, read out the formal proclamation.
The Union Flag was also temporarily raised to full-mast when the new sovereign King Charles III was proclaimed at County Hall.
The flags remained at full-mast until Sunday afternoon when they were once again lowered to half-mast, where they will remain until the day after Her Majesty’s funeral.
