Hundreds of residents gathered in Darlington today as King Charles III was proclaimed in just one ceremony among hundreds being held across the country.
People of all ages - including pets and children - were there as history was made at Market Cross in the town centre.
With the sun shining, Darlington fell silent as onlookers watched the proclamation begin at around 3pm on Sunday.
Among those in attendance, Darlington MP Peter Gibson, Darlington Borough Council leader Jonathon Dulston and former leader, Heather Scott.
Commander Ian Berry MBE, deputy lord lieutenant of County Durham opened the ceremony.
Read more: Darlington’s top 7 places to have Sunday dinner according to TripAdvisor
He stressed that the sadness felt was “shared by people across the Globe, as we remember with great affection and gratitude a lifetime of service given by our longest remaining monarch.”
He added: “But the basis on which our monarchy is built has ensured that through the centuries the crown has passed in an unbroken line of succession.
“Today’s ceremony marks the formal proclamation across the kingdom and commonwealth of the beginning of the new kings reign.”
“The proclamation has been read in the four corners of the United Kingdom and in each lord of tenancy across the land.”
Anne-Marie Curry, mayor of Darlington officially announced the proclamation.
She said: “Yesterday 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 mark the start of his majesty’s reign.
“Today it is one of the first occasions when communities have the opportunity to come together and reflect on the moment in our nation’s history that the rain of our longest serving monarch came to an end and our new sovereign succeeded.”
During, three cheers were given to the new King which could be heard out across Darlington as officers raised their hats and a round of applause rounded off the event.
The proclamation was read across the UK and in many areas of the North East including Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Gateshead.
Read next:
- Chilton pub fire LIVE: Pub goes up in flames - updates here
- Redcar whale incident LIVE: See updates and pictures here
- A170 crash LIVE: Road closed after incident in North Yorkshire
If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel