The first reading in Essex of the Proclamation of King Charles III was hosted by Essex County Council and took place on the front steps of County Hall, Chelmsford at 1pm on Sunday 11 September. Local dignitaries, council members and other leaders in the county joined the public to hear the proclamation, which was introduced by Jennifer Tolhurst, His Majesty The King’s Lord-Lieutenant of Essex. When opening the ceremony, HM Lord-Lieutenant said: “We come together this afternoon following the death 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 Essex of the beginning of our new King’s reign.” Nicholas Alston CBE DL, High Sheriff of Essex then followed and expressed that as the 842nd recorded High Sheriff of Essex it was his duty and great privilege to read the Proclamation. The High Sherriff of Essex then read out the official proclamation of King Charles III and, after the singing of the National Anthem, invited attendees to give three cheers to His Majesty the King. Jennifer Tolhurst, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Essex added: “Today, Sunday 11 September, the Royal Proclamation was read out across Essex. Starting with the first County announcement which I was honoured to introduce. This is a momentous and significant moment in the history of our nation, and I am so pleased that people across Essex came together to mark the beginning of the reign of His Majesty the King. God save the King!” Attendees at the proclamation included Nicholas Alston CBE DL, High Sheriff of Essex; Roger Brice, Under Sheriff of Essex; Rear Admiral Roy Clare CBE DL, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Cllr Jill Reeves, Vice Chairman of ECC; Cllr Kevin Bentley, Leader Essex County Council Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner; Rick Hylton, Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive Essex County Fire and Rescue Service; The Right Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford; Chief Constable B J Harrington and Lt Col Ed Rankin, Commander Colchester Garrison. Proclamations were also read out on Sunday 11 September across the county which were attended, where possible, by Deputy Lieutenants on behalf of HM Lord-Lieutenant of Essex. The Proclamation will be read out at 11am on Monday 12 September in Southend-on-Sea.

• published: 11 Sep 2022
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