Crowds gather for proclamation services across Cheshire West and Chester

The ceremonial events first happened in London on Saturday, September 10, and were followed by proclamations across the borough the following day.

Chester's proclamation happened with many of the borough's top dignitaries in attendance at Chester Town Hall on Sunday.

Other events in the borough followed in Ellesmere Port, outside the Civic Hall, and in Neston outside the Town Hall, as well as outside Northwich information Centre and outside Wyvern House in Winsford.

In Chester, the City of Chester band played by the steps of Chester Town Hall, before His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire Alexis Redmond MBE, who addressed the crowd.

She said: "Our sadness at this time is shared by people across the globe as we remember with such great affection and deep gratitude the lifetime of devoted service given by our much-loved long-reigning monarch."

The High Sheriff of Cheshire, Jeannie France-Hayhurst, then read out the proclamation to the hundreds of people in attendance.

Following this, copies of the proclamation were presented to the Chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Council and the mayors of Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington, so they could in turn read the proclamations in their respective communities.

At the conclusion of the proclamation, the High Sheriff said: "God save the King," words echoed by the crowd.

Bishop of Chester Mark Tanner then led a prayer for the new king.

The crowd later sang the National Anthem, God save the King.

This was followed by the High Sheriff of Cheshire leading three cheers for the new monarch, before handing out ceremonial proclamation scrolls to the county's mayors, and Cheshire West and Chester Council chairman Cllr Bob Rudd.

Cllr Rudd then, in turn, invited the Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Cllr Lisa Denson, to collect a ceremonial proclamation scroll, along with the Mayor of Neston Cllr Pat Kynaston, the Mayor of Northwich, Cllr Graham Emmett, the Mayor of Winsford, Cllr Joanne Moorcroft, and the Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr John Leather.

The Lord Mayor of Chester concluded the Chester proclamation ceremony by saying: "This is a unique moment in the history of our borough and city. This ceremony marks the formal proclamation to the residents of Cheshire and the City of Chester at the beginning of our new king's reign.

"This message will be repeated in many places across the kingdom. I now invite you all to join me in Chester Cathedral for a personal time of reflection and to light a candle."

Flags flown at half-mast to mark the death of the Queen were raised briefly to their full height to mark the start of His Majesty King Charles III's reign.

The formal handover to HRH King Charles III. Pictures: Tom Ormiston.

For Ellesmere Port, the town's Mayor, Cllr Lisa Denson read a formal statement, similar to what was read in London.

The mace was inverted and some hats removed when the death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced, then when the new Monarch was announced the mace was up righted hats donned and the new monarch saluted.

The Mayor was flanked by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant John Thomson, who normally represents the monarch.

The Armed Forces, the police and the fire service were represented. After the proclamation all were invited in to the civic hall for tea.

The proclamation of the new sovereign is a tradition which goes back centuries.

It does not create a new king or queen, but is an announcement of the accession which took place immediately on the death of the reigning monarch.

A service of commemoration takes place at Chester Cathedral on Sunday, September 18. Those unable to attend can watch the service on Chester Cathedral's YouTube channel, where it will be broadcast live.