King Charles III - Proclamation services across the south and south east

The proclamation was read out in Reading

Proclamation events to the new King have taken place across the ITV Meridian region.

Charles III was formally proclaimed king at an historic ceremony at St James's Palace on Saturday morning.

Flags which were lowered in mourning for the late Queen were raised to full-mast after the Accession Council this morning, until 1.30 this afternoon when the flags returned to half-mast

In Windsor, thousands gathered at the Queen Victoria statue to hear the proclamation with the Castle as the backdrop .

Crowds listen to the proclamation in Windsor

A formal reading of the proclamation of the accession of the new sovereign, King Charles III, took place at Carfax in Oxford.  

Councillor Susanna Pressel, Chair of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The proclamation ceremony brought our communities together to reflect on the end of the reign of our longest serving monarch and the succession of the new Sovereign.

“Although the passing of Queen Elizabeth II is a time of great sadness for the people of Oxfordshire, and for the nation and Commonwealth, today is also a moment of hope, a seamless continuation of our constitutional monarchy, with the proclamation of the accession of Charles III."

In Berkshire, residents gathered to hear the Mayor of Reading express the town’s gratitude for the lifetime of service given by the UK’s longest-reigning Monarch, before the High Sheriff of Berkshire marked the start of King Charles III’s reign.

Meanwhile, at the county hall in Chichester, hundreds turned out to see the proclamation. Local leaders, members of West Sussex councils, and local MPs watched the momentous event.

In Sussex, the Proclamation of the new sovereign took place outside County Hall in Lewes.

It was read out by The High Sheriff of East Sussex with local dignitaries in attendance including the Chair of Lewes District Council and the Leader and Deputy Leader of Lewes District Council.

Crowds also gathered in Weymouth and Winchester to mark the new chapter before flags were returned to half mast where they'll stay until after her majesty's funeral.

In Hampshire members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who are holding a three day convention replaced sporting activities with a special exhibition to the Queen and a book of condolence.

The President of the association echoing the thoughts of so many saying "we stand together with the nation during this difficult time."