Death of HM Queen Elizabeth II and Proclamation of HM King Charles III
Following the deeply sad news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, we would like to update you with some information on the plans for the next few days here in Marlborough.
Proclamation*
The Union Flag will continue to be flown at half-mast at the Town Hall except during the Proclamation of the new King, HM King Charles III. Following the Proclamation, flags will once again be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.
The National Proclamation of the new King will take place on Saturday 10 September.
Capital Cities, County and local Proclamations will follow on Sunday 11 September.
In Marlborough, the local Proclamation will be led by our Town Mayor, Councillor Lisa Farrell, and will take place on the steps of the Town Hall at 1.15pm. You are very welcome to attend.
Floral Tributes
Floral tributes can be laid outside the Town Hall. Please avoid the use of cellophane wrappings if possible.
Books of Condolence
Please join us to share your thoughts and memories of Her Majesty The Queen by signing our book of condolence, available in the foyer of the Town Hall between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday until the date of HM Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.
From Monday 12 September, books of condolence will also be available to sign in all Wiltshire Council libraries and mobile libraries.
After the funeral, all condolence books will be sent to the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre for the archives.
If you prefer you can also sign Wiltshire Council's online Book of Condolence and/or the Royal Family's Book of Condolence.
Council Meetings
During the period of national mourning all Council meetings have been cancelled as a mark of respect. This means the Full Town Council meeting scheduled for Monday, 12 September will be rescheduled to later in the month.
*The proclamation of the new Sovereign is a very old tradition which can be traced back over many centuries.
The ceremony does not create a new King. It is simply an announcement of the accession which took place immediately on the death of the reigning monarch.
In an age where modern methods of communication convey news around the globe in an instant, the proclamation is no longer the means by which people learn for the first time that they have a new Monarch. Today, however, is one of the first occasions when communities have an opportunity to come together and reflect on the moment in our nation’s history when the reign of our longest-serving Monarch came to an end and our new Sovereign succeeded.