Local ceremony marks start of King Charles Reign

The Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Councillor Dawn Glenville, read the Proclamation and was joined by the Deputy Lieutenants for Leicestershire, David Lindley and Penny Coates, as well as councillors, dignitaries and people from across the borough.

The proclamation of the new Sovereign is an ancient tradition which can be traced back over many centuries. The ceremony itself does not create a new King but serves as an announcement of the accession, which automatically takes place upon the death of a reigning monarch.

In an age where news travels around the globe in an instant, the proclamation is no longer how people learn that they have a new monarch. However, Sunday’s event offered a space and time for residents to come together and mourn, as well as to reflect on the historic event of our longest-serving monarch’s reign coming to an end.

The proclamation of the new Sovereign was first read at 11am on Saturday at St James’s Palace, before being read an hour later in the City of London. Proclamations were then read at noon on Sunday throughout the United Kingdom, at venues including Edinburgh Castle, Cardiff Castle and Hillsborough Castle, before being read at a county level by High Sheriffs and later by Mayors and Chairmen.

Before the ceremony, council group leaders, Councillor Stuart Bray, Councillor Richard Allen and Councillor Matthew Lay, each laid a wreath in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II in Argents Mead bandstand.

Many borough and parish councillors from across the area also attended, alongside Wayne Gale of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue, District Manager for Hinckley and Bosworth, and Inspector Steve Palmer, Police Area Commander for Hinckley and Bosworth. Members of the armed forces were also represented by Royal British Legion Standard Bearer Ian Walker and Andy Dodds, Chair of the Royal Navy Association, Hinckley and Sgt Tora Leadbetter, the Mayor’s Air Cadet of 118 Squadron.

The reading of the proclamation ended with three cheers for the new King from the gathered crowd.

Books of condolence in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II have opened at the Hinckley Hub, The Atkins Building, St Mary’s Church in Hinckley, Sport in Desford, Markfield Community Centre, Twycross Zoo, Barwell Parish Council Office, St Catherine’s Church and the Millennium Hall in Burbage, St Andrew’s Church, Carlton, Peckleton Village Hall and St Margaret’s Church, Stoke Golding. You could also sign the book online.