Proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III

Following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a ceremony to proclaim His Majesty King Charles III the new Sovereign will take place in South Tyneside this Sunday (11 September).

The local proclamation will take place outside South Shields Town Hall at 3pm - with members of the public invited to assemble from 2.45pm.

This will follow His Majesty's formal proclamation as Sovereign at a ceremony at St James's Palace in London tomorrow morning (Saturday 10 September) and in line with other regional and local proclamations taking place across the country on Sunday.

A new Sovereign succeeds to the throne on the death of the reigning monarch and is proclaimed as soon as possible at an Accession Council in St James's Palace to announce the death of the Monarch and proclaim the succession of the new Sovereign.

In line with national protocol, the Union flags which have been flying at half-mast at key Council buildings will be raised to full-mast to mark the Accession on Saturday, and then lowered again to half-mast after the local and regional proclamations on Sunday.

The flag will then remain at half-mast until after the Queen's funeral.

The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Pat Hay, will read the Proclamation.

The Mayor said: "The proclamation of the new Sovereign is a very old tradition that dates back centuries.

"Although we mourn the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II, it is important that we mark the accession of King Charles III to the throne.

"Sunday will be one of the first key occasions when communities will have an opportunity to come together, to reflect on the passing of our country's longest reigning Monarch and to mark a key moment in history as we proclaim our new Sovereign.

"We hope that people are able to join us whether in person or online."

Residents are reminded that some roads will be closed in South Tyneside due to the Great North Run taking place and are advised to consider this in planning their journeys.

South Tyneside Council is planning to live stream the local Proclamation via its Facebook channel at STynesideCouncil enabling residents to view the event remotely.

Books of condolence have been opened at South Shields and Jarrow Town Halls, Hebburn Central and The Word in South Shields. South Shields Town Hall is also being lit purple for the duration of the national mourning period.

For further information about tributes in South Tyneside, the Local Proclamation and details of road closures on Sunday 11 September, visit the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk