The County Proclamation of King Charles III was held today (11 September) at County Hall, Trowbridge, with dignitaries and members of the public in attendance to witness the historic local event.
Following the deeply sad news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, the local Proclamation took place one day after the National Proclamation, as is tradition.
In Wiltshire, the County Proclamation was made by the High Sheriff of Wiltshire on the steps of old County Hall following a minute's silence. An introduction to the event was provided by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton.
In her introduction, Mrs Troughton said:
This is a unique occasion. We are witnessing part of the fabric of our history dating back to the Middle Ages, to a time when this form of communication was the only official way that people heard such news. "As we stand here we can feel the link through centuries of British history being made.
His Majesty King Charles III's speech to the nation on Friday touched us all. As His Majesty's proud Lord Lieutenant for our county, I would like to send him, on your behalf, our most loving and respectful good wishes, and assure him and his family that they have Wiltshire's loyalty and support.
The national anthem, God Save The King, was sung by those in attendance, accompanied by music from the Downton Band.
Once the County event had concluded, Local and Town Proclamations then took place throughout Wiltshire.
The event was streamed on Facebook live at www.facebook.com/WiltshireCouncil and people can visit the page to view a recording.
From Monday 12 September, books of condolence will be available to sign at County Hall, Trowbridge; Monkton Park, Chippenham; Bourne Hill, Salisbury; and all Wiltshire Council libraries and mobile libraries. There is also an online book of condolence on the Wiltshire Council website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/registration-service/royal-memorial-events/book-of-condolence-for-her-majesty-the-queen
The condolence books will remain open until the day after the funeral and will then be sent to the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre for the archives.
The designated place for floral tributes is the front of County Hall. Mourners are kindly requested to remove all plastic wrapping from the floral tributes so they can be recycled after the period of National Mourning.
