King Charles III: Hundreds watch Glossop proclamation ceremony

Hundreds of people gathered in Norfolk Square in Glossop town centre for a public proclamation to announce the accession of King Charles III.

Local residents young and old turned out in their numbers on Sunday afternoon (11 September) long before the ceremony got under way at 3pm. 

The historic event followed a ceremony at St James's Palace in London on Saturday morning, when King Charles was confirmed as the new monarch before the Accession Council. 

Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral in Scotland on Thursday at the age of 96. She was the United Kingdom's longest-serving monarch, having reigned for just over 70 years. 

After a short procession from Henry Street to Norfolk Square, Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Jackie Bird MBE, started the 10-minute ceremony by paying tribute to the Queen. 

The proclamation was witnessed by hundreds of people on Norfolk Square. Image: Kate Raine / Glossop Heritage Trust. 

"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," she said. 

"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 Derbyshire the beginnings of our new King's reign."

In front of the Cenotaph, High Peak Mayor, Councillor Ollie Cross, read the proclamation before asking the crowds to join in three cheers for His Majesty The King and singing the first verse of the national anthem God Save The King.  

There was a good turnout for the historic ceremony, with people staying afterwards to pay their respects and chat to each other. Image: Kate Raine / Glossop Heritage Trust.

Father Martin Sylvester, the priest of the parishes of Saint Mary Crowned and All Saints in Glossop, then said a prayer to close proceedings. 

Flowers were then laid at the Cenotaph by politicians and dignitaries, which included High Peak MP Robert Largan, High Peak Borough Council leader Cllr Anthony Mckeown, High Peak Mayoress Gill Cross, Whaley Bridge county councillor and former High Peak MP Ruth George and Hadfield South borough councillor Ed Siddall. 

High Peak Mayor Cllr Ollie Cross and Mayoress Gill Cross lay flowers at the Cenotaph 

Members of the public also took the opportunity to place their own floral tributes and messages in honour of the late sovereign, as the national period of mourning continues up to and including her state funeral on Monday 19 September - which has been declared a bank holiday across the UK. 

High Peak Mayor Cllr Cross, who represents Padfield, said afterwards: "I was proud and honoured to read out the proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III.

"Thank you to the hundreds of local residents who gathered in Norfolk Square. Gill and I were humbled to join you all, and it was wonderful to be able to share such a momentous occasion with so many familiar faces. God Save the King." 

A similar ceremony took place simultaneously at the Cenotaph at The Slopes in Buxton, which was guided by former High Peak Mayor Cllr Paul Hardy. 

You can watch the Glossop ceremony in full in a video on our Facebook page here.