Skip to content

King Charles III: Proclamation events across the West Midlands

BBC Coventry proclamationBBC
Lord Mayor Councillor Kevin Maton on the steps of Coventry Council House

Events to mark the proclamation of the new King have taken place across the West Midlands.

The new sovereign was formally confirmed in a historic televised service at St James's Palace on Saturday.

The ceremony was repeated at locations up and down the UK on Sunday, with some events attracting thousands of people.

Charles III became King following the death of his mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday.

Up to 3,000 people gathered in Birmingham outside the library in Centenary Square as the Lord Mayor Councillor Maureen Cornish proclaimed the new sovereign, as the crowd then joined in with a rendition of God Save the King.

Similar events took place in Worcester, Coventry, Shrewsbury, Stafford, Hereford, Stoke-on-Trent, Dudley and Telford as well as many market towns across the region.

Shrewsbury proclamation
Up to 1,000 people gathered at Shrewsbury's Quarry park to hear the proclamation read by Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire Anna Turner
Crowds in Worcester
Crowds also gathered in Worcester outside the Guildhall

The Proclamation of Accession is the formal method of publicising the accession, sharing the news that the monarch has died and that the heir has acceded to the throne.

Speaking before an event in Dudley, the Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend Martin Gorick said it was an occasion that demonstrated the continuity of monarchy.

"It's a chance as we remember our late Queen Elizabeth II with such affection and such love to remember that monarchy carries on," he said.

"There isn't a gap. This great institution... which she valued and embodied throughout her 70-year reign is carrying on now in her son and that's what we proclaim and celebrate."

Droitwich Spa Town Council Droitwich Town Crier Edgar HarwoodDroitwich Spa Town Council
Droitwich Town Crier Edgar Harwood welcomed the crowds before the reading of the proclamation
Stafford proclamation
The High Sheriff of Staffordshire Ben Robinson read out the proclamation in Stafford

Queen Elizabeth II's funeral will be held on Monday 19 September at Westminster Abbey in London, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

Prayer services have taken place in Birmingham, Coventry and Ludlow, with similar events planned in other locations over the next week.

Books of condolence also remain open at more then 100 venues across the West Midlands.

Stafford proclamation
Crowds gathered in Stafford's Market Square
Shropshire Deputy lieutenant Katherine Garnier, Ryan Davies, mayor of Clun and Reverend Caroline Harrison, vicar of Clun Valley benefice
Mayor of Clun Ryan Davies read out the proclamation flanked by Shropshire Deputy Lord Lieutenant Katherine Garnier and Caroline Harrison, vicar of Clun Valley benefice
Oswestry Mayor Jay Moore
Oswestry Mayor Jay Moore read out the proclamation before the crowd joined in a renditition of God Save the King
HM Queen Elizabeth II 640x55

What next? A day-by-day guide from now to the funeral

How titles and the line of succession have changed

William and Harry united in grief

HM Queen Elizabeth II black line
Presentational grey line

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]