Boroughs across Greater Manchester are preparing to mark King Charles III's historic proclamation in events across the region later today.
Charles is set to be proclaimed King at ceremonies across the region later today, Sunday September 11, after he ascended to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday. The former Prince of Wales was formally proclaimed King at a historic ceremony in St James' Palace after a meeting of the accession council, where Charles swore an oath to privy counsellors.
Today, proclamation ceremonies will take place in other parts of the UK from around midday, with Manchester city centre the first to host theirs at 1pm. The other boroughs will then host their own ceremonies, with most taking place between 3-4pm. Full details of each ceremony have been outlined below.
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Union flags flown across the region are currently at full mast to mark the National Proclamation of the new monarch, and will be lowered to half-mast across the country from 1pm this afternoon, after most of the ceremonies have completed, to pay respect to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in line with protocol.
Manchester
The city centre's proclamation will be held in front of the central library in St Peter’s Square at 1pm.
This ceremony is the "formal county proclamation to the people of Greater Manchester" according to Manchester City Council, marking the start of his Majesty King Charles III’s reign. Lord Mayor of Manchester Cllr Donna Ludford and Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Diane Hawkins will speak to the crowd before High Sherriff of Greater Manchester Lorraine Worsley-Carter MBE reads the Greater Manchester Proclamation.
After this, the mayors of the other nine Greater Manchester local authorities, who are thought to all be attending at St Peter's Square, will then be given copies of the Proclamation to read later this afternoon. The short ceremony, which will include the National Anthem, is expected to last around 30 minutes, and will be livestreamed on the council website.
A number of roads around the area will be closed from 10am-3pm, with sections of Peter Street, Mount Street, Museum Street, Bootle Street, Oxford Street, Lloyd Street, Southmill Street, Jackson's Row, and Central Street all closed off. There are also parking suspensions on these roads. For full details of the road closures, visit the council website.
Bolton
Bolton will host a public proclamation on the town hall steps later this afternoon.
Residents are invited to gather in Victoria Square for 3.30pm, where a representative of the council will proclaim the new monarch. The short ceremony is an opportunity for well-wishers to view the flowers and tributes left to the late monarch outside the town hall, and residents are encouraged to lay tributes of their own.
Bury
The local proclamation event in Bury will be held in Union Square, opposite the main entrance of Bury Town Hall, at 3pm.
Mayor of Bury, Coun Shaheena Haroon, will read aloud the proclamation, with Knowsley Street closed off during the brief ceremony. Bury Council will stream the proclamation on their website, and residents are welcome to attend the short ceremony. Any floral tributes people wish to lay for the late monarch are asked to be lain in Kay Gardens.
Rochdale
Rochdale will host their proclamation ceremony outside Number One Riverside in the town centre at 3pm.
The Mayor of Rochdale, Coun Ali Ahmed, will read a proclamation to formally announce King Charles III as sovereign, inviting councillors, council officers, Honorary Aldermen, local MPs, local Deputy Lieutenants, the Mayor’s Chaplain, Borough Dean, the Vicar of Rochdale, and local residents to attend the short ceremony, which is expected to conclude around 3.15pm.
Tameside
The ceremony in Tameside will take place outside Dukinfield Town Hall at 3pm.
Tameside's Mayor Con Mike Glover will pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, before reading the local proclamation to local officials, council members, and local residents. The short ceremony will be streamed on the council's Facebook page.
Coun Glover said; “After 70 years of selfless dedication to our country and the Commonwealth, I’m deeply saddened by the death of our Queen. As most of us, including myself, have never known a time without her, it seems scarcely credible she has left us. The sense of loss is personal. Although the Queen was head of state, she was such a constant presence in our lives that we all felt we knew her. That makes it so difficult to say goodbye.
“Queen Elizabeth II was a truly remarkable woman. Even in her nineties she carried out her duties with a selfless devotion that was an inspiration to us all. At this very sad time I would like to extend my sympathies to the Royal Family on behalf of the people of Tameside. We mourn with them and share their grief. I am honoured to be leading the proclamation in Tameside and we pledge our support and loyalty to our new King as he assumes the duties so nobly carried out by his late mother.”
Two minutes’ silence will take place at 11am outside Dukinfield Town Hall, on Monday, September 19, the day of the Queen's funeral.
Stockport
Stockport will proclaim King Charles III as monarch on the steps of Stockport Town Hall, facing the A6, at 3pm.
Mayor of Stockport, Coun David Wilson, will read the proclamation, before the flag at the Town Hall is lowered to half-mast once again, at around 3.30pm. Road closures are in place for the short ceremony, with the A6 closed from Station Road to Greek Street between 2pm and 4pm this afternoon.
Salford
The proclamation in Salford will be read on the steps of the Town Hall, in front of the civic centre lawns, at 4pm.
Mayor of the City of Salford, Coun Ann-Marie Humphreys, will read the proclamation aloud, with residents invited to attend the short ceremony. After the proclamation, the bells at St Peter's CE church will be rung in celebration of the accession, and the flags at the civic centre will be lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect for the late Queen Elizabeth.
A tradition typically seen when a monarch visits a borough, where the mace is inverted in recognition of the authority of the Crown, will be repeated during the ceremony to signify recognition that the crown has passed from Her Majesty the Queen to her successor, King Charles III.
Wigan
Wigan will formally proclaim the new King in Believe Square at 3.30pm.
The Mayor of Wigan, Coun Marie Morgan, will read the proclamation aloud, and Wigan Town Hall's reception will be open from 1-4.30pm for residents to sign the book of condolence for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Leader of Wigan Council, Coun David Molyneux MBE, said: “Everyone at Wigan Council is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen and our thoughts are with the Royal Family. Wigan Borough came together earlier this year to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee; a remarkable achievement for our monarch. We will join together again in mourning. As a dedicated and inspirational figurehead for our nation and other nations across the world, her reign will be remembered as an extraordinary one.”
Coun Morgan, added: “It is with great sadness that we receive the news that Her Majesty The Queen has passed away. On behalf of Wigan Borough, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and join everyone in the UK and across the globe in mourning her loss. Flags will be lowered to half-mast across our public buildings and books of condolence will be made available across the borough.”
Trafford
Trafford will host their proclamation ceremony at Trafford Town Hall at 3pm.
Trafford Mayor, Coun Chris Boyes, will read the proclamation of King Charles II during the short traditional ceremony, which dates back several centuries. Residents are welcome to attend the event, which will also be attended by Trafford dignitaries, including Council Leader Andrew Western, councillors and Aldermen.
Talbot Road will be closed between Warwick Road and Great Stone Road for the proclamation to take place.
Oldham
Oldham will formally announce the new King on the steps of the Old Town Hall, facing the Cenotaph, at 3pm.
The Mayor, Coun Elaine Garry, will read out the proclamation of the new King in a short ceremony which members of the public are invited to attend. Flags outside of Oldham town centre, which were raised fully at 11am yesterday in line with the proclamation events, will be lowered to half-mast at 1pm this afternoon. Flags at the Civic Centre and the Cenotaph will then be lowered once the proclamation event has taken place.
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