HM King Charles III Proclaimed in Guildford – See Full Ceremony

Published on: 11 Sep, 2022
Updated on: 13 Sep, 2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022 who died on Thursday September 8. She was 96.

This article was updated as events took place, following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Sunday, September 11

The traditional proclamation ceremony took place today at 3pm on the steps of Holy Trinity the church in Guildford at which civic ceremonies normally take place

Dignitaries including Guildford’s MP Angela Richardson, aldermen, councillors, judges, and senior police officers processed from the Guildhall in the High Street.

The ceremony was led by Canon Robert Cotton the Rector of Holy Trinity and St Mary’s.

The Mayor of Guildford read out the proclamation announcing the accession of HM King Charles III which was followed by the Mayor calling for three cheers for the King and the singing of the national anthem, participants, after a lifetime singing “God save the Queen”, careful to sing “God save the King”.

A video of the ceremony can be seen below…

Michael Buerk

The well-known former BBC newscaster Michael Buerk was in the crowd of onlookers and gave a short interview with Dragon editor Martin Giles.

Michael Buerk interview. Click here to hear his reaction to the ceremony.

A similar ceremony for Surrey took place at the cathedral at 1pm on Sunday. A video of that ceremony, attended by 200-300 people, can be seen below. The ceremony commences at 14 minutes into the clip…

For details of further events leading up to the Queen’s funeral please see BBC article: Plans for the Queen’s lying in state and funeral

See also: ‘God Save The King’ Called Out By the Crowd As Charles III Proclaimed in Guildford

Saturday, September 10

This morning the Mayor, Dennis Booth, and the GBC leader, Joss Bigmore, signed the book of condolence at the Guildhall today (see image below).

The mayor also witnessed the raising of the Union Flag to full mast position, as protocol dictates, following the proclamation of the new King in London at 10 am. It will return to its half-mast position tomorrow at 1pm and remain at half-mast for the official period of mourning.

It has been announced that the Queen’s state funeral will take place on Monday, September 19. She will lie in state in Westminster Hall for the four preceding days.

The Mayor of Guildford and the GBC leader sign the book of condolence at the Guildhall. Photo GBC

Union flag back to full mast position following the proclamation of HM King Charles III. Photo GBC

Friday, September 9.

At noon the bells of Holy Trinity tolled to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II (see video clip below) and a book of condolence was opened in the Guildhall.

Council premises that were to be open as part of Heritage Weekend will now remain closed as a mark of respect.

Thursday, September 8

Guildford’s MP paid tribute to Her Majesty the Queen whose death was announced early this evening.

Angela Richardson said in a statement shortly after the death was announced: “It is the saddest of days; an end to the most dutiful of reigns. For 70 years, the devotion of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the people of the United Kingdom and 14 other sovereign countries, as well as her beloved Commonwealth of which I am privileged to be a part, has been a fixture of life.

The book of condolence that has been opened at the Guildhall. Photo Gill Page

Note posted at Abbot’s Hospital. Photo Gill Page who also took the video clip below.

“This afternoon, we learned of the Queen’s peaceful death at Balmoral which, even at her age of 96, will have been a shock to many. I join the people of Guildford, Cranleigh and our villages in mourning the passing of an enormously hardworking monarch, great woman and much-loved mother.

“My thoughts are with the Royal Family over the coming days – they will take comfort from the Queen’s achievements and long reign but her loss will be devasting to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren too.

“God bless you Ma’am – thank you for everything. Long live the King.”

The Union Flag flying at half-mast at the Guildhall this evening.

Guildford Borough Council also issued a statement:

A hand-written letter of condolence on behalf of the borough from the Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Dennis Booth will be sent to The Royal Family:

“I am writing to you as Mayor of Guildford on behalf of the people of the Borough of Guildford in Surrey to offer my sincere condolences to The Royal Family following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“Her Majesty The Queen was much loved and widely respected by people in Britain and throughout the world. She will be sorely missed but the memory of her dedication to duty and loyalty to her family and country will remain with us and act as an example for us in the years ahead.”

Flags at our Millmead offices, Guildford Castle and the Guildhall are flying at half-mast. We will open a book of condolence in Millmead House, the Guildhall and The Hive at Park Barn.

During the period of mourning the Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Dennis Booth will wear a black armband during Council meetings and at all public events as a sign of respect for their loss.

Professor Max Lu, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Surrey issued the following statement: “On behalf of the University of Surrey community, I want to offer my most profound and sincere condolences to the Royal Family. Our University, along with people the world over, is mourning the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. Her dedication to service, the country and the Commonwealth will be her most enduring legacy.”

For more information please visit www.guildford.gov.uk

Reading the proclamation of Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne in 1952 on the steps of Holy Trinity Church.

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