Accession Proclamation

Yesterday afternoon at 2.15pm the Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Gill Burnett, led a procession from Castle House to the market cross (next to the Guildhall) for the borough’s accession proclamation.

The proclamation took place at 2.30pm and comprised two readings, one from Staffordshire’s Deputy Lieutenant, Julie Arkle, and the Accession Proclamation from the Mayor. Newcastle’s former mayors, aldermen, freemen, burgesses and current borough councillors were invited to attend as well as members of the public.   

According to the protocol, and with due respect, the Union flags at the Guildhall and Castle House were raised from half-mast to full-mast during the proclamation. They were then returned to half-mast.

Proclamation - official orders

This is what was said at the short ceremony:

The Staffordshire Deputy Lieutenant, Julie Arkle:

“We come together this afternoon following the passing of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth the Second. 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.

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 to the people of Staffordshire the beginning of our new King’s reign.

It is now my duty to introduce the Mayor who will explain the significance of today’s events and read the Accession Proclamation.”

The Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Gill Burnett, then reads the Proclamation:

“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 their full height to mark the start of His Majesty’s reign.

The Accession Council also made an Order requiring the High Sheriffs to cause the Proclamation to be read in the areas of their jurisdiction. The High Sheriff of Staffordshire discharged that duty earlier today and now with my humble duty I now bring the words of the Proclamation to the residents of the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

PROCLAMATION (in full) 

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, two thousand and twenty-two.”