Buckingham announced the accession of His Majesty King Charles III, at the Reading of the Proclamation of the Accession in Buckingham.
This centuries-old tradition follows the Reading of the Proclamation of the Accession in London, with the message passing through civic officers in a chain from cities to towns.
Deputy Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr. Anja Schaefer, travelled to Aylesbury to hear the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire read the Proclamation of the Accession at 1pm on Sunday 11th September, and collect Buckingham’s copy of the Proclamation.
Having returned to Buckingham, Cllr. Anja Schaefer read the Proclamation to a large crowd that had gathered in Buckingham outside the Old Gaol at 3.30pm. The Deputy Mayor was joined by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Carolyn Cummings, the Town Clerk, Claire Molyneux, the Town Crier, Russell Cross, Mace Bearer, Barbara Farmer and Trumpeter, Nick Perry.
A full programme from the event is available below or can be picked up from Buckingham Library for anyone who would like to keep a copy.
The Town Council have also organised a book of condolence at the Old Gaol Museum, accessible 10am – 4pm daily. Anyone wishing to leave a floral tribute can do so at the coronation tree, near the war memorial at St Peter & St Paul’s Church. Union Flags, with mourning cravats attached, have been put up around the town centre.
A Commemorative Service will take place at St Peter & St Paul’s Church beginning at 11am. Free tickets to attend must be booked in advance, either online: www.bpchurch.uk/queen or for anyone who does not use the internet, paper tickets can be collected from the Tourist Information Centre, in the Old Gaol, Buckingham during their normal opening hours.
As Town Council officers have been redeployed from other duties to deliver the Council’s programme of events to commemorate the life of HM The Queen, the Council was unable to host its annual dog show on the 11th September.
Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr. Margaret Gateley said “We have all been saddened by the death of our beloved Queen. She was a faithful and loyal monarch, steering our nation through a time of unprecedented change. We have now welcomed our new monarch, King Charles III, in a historic ceremony, attended by many from our community. In the words of The Archbishop of Canterbury, “Everlasting God, we pray for our new king. Bless his reign and the life of our nation. Help us to work together so that truth and justice, harmony and fairness flourish among us; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Deputy Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr. Anja Schaefer said “It was a great honour to read out the Proclamation of Accession in Buckingham and a joy to see so many gathered to mark this historic moment in our history. Queen Elizabeth II served this country faithfully, dutifully and with great dignity and humour throughout her long reign. The commemorative service on Sunday 18th Sept will give the people of Buckingham the chance to come together to express our gratitude to the Queen and our sadness at her loss.”
