Honiton: Town pays its respects to Queen Elizabeth II and conducts Proclamation of King Charles III

Today (Monday 12 September) Honiton held two ceremonies to pay its respects to the late Queen and proclaim the new King, Charles III.

The first ceremony took place outside Blackdown House and it was attended by local residents, dignitaries, members of East Devon District Council, Honiton Town Council and Dave Retter the Town Crier.

The union jack, which had been flying at half mast, was temporarily raised and then the Chair of the Council read the proclamation, part of which is below.

"We Proclaim that the Prince Charles Phillip Arthur George, is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord Charles the Third, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Briton and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King."

The reading was followed by three chants of 'God Save the King' before the flag was lowered to half-mast. A two-minute silence was conducted and then the National Anthem was sung.

To close the ceremony, Cllr Ian Thomas, the Chair of the Council, wished The King and Queen a 'long and happy reign.

At 12pm there was a second ceremony outside St. Paul's Church.

By 11.30am a large crowd was gathering in anticipation of the event, but the mood remained sombre.

The Mayor, Cllr Serena Sexton, Deputy Mayor Helen Hurford and Town Crier Dave Retter stood together as Cllr Sexton carried out the Proclamation Ceremony.

The members of Honiton Town Council stood observing the reading.

Cllr Sexton's statement was followed by the Town Crier, Dave Retter, leading three chants of God Save the King and the ceremony was closed by Honiton Band playing the National Anthem.

The ceremonies follow tributes for The Queen which were made after her death was announced last week.

HM Queen Elizabeth II died at Barmoral Castle on Thursday 8 September. She had been staying there over the summer. On Tuesday 6 September she accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson and completed the 'kissing of the hands' ceremony to officially invite the new Prime Minster, Liz Truss, to form a government.

On Wednesday September 7 a scheduled Privy Council meeting The Queen was due to attend was cancelled and on Thursday members of the Royal Family flew to Scotland to be with The Queen.

Her Majesty's death was announced at 6.30pm on Thursday 8 September with a short statement from Buckingham Palace: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

"The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."