Suffolk citizens invited to historic moment as new Sovereign proclaimed across the county

The reign of His Majesty King Charles III will be proclaimed across Suffolk on Sunday 11 September - and the county’s citizens are encouraged to attend.
Published: 09 Sep 2022

In line with Royal protocols, the formal announcement of the new Sovereign - known as the Proclamation of the Accession - will be made from St James Palace and at the Royal Exchange in London tomorrow (Saturday 10 September). The same Proclamation will then be read in Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh on Sunday.

The first reading of the Proclamation in Suffolk will be at 13:00 on Sunday, from the balcony of Ipswich Town Hall, overlooking the Cornhill and a crowd of up to 7000 people.

Suffolk’s Lord-Lieutenant, Clare Countess of Euston, said:

Sunday will be a truly significant moment in the history of our nation and Suffolk is ready to play its role in making it a special memory for thousands of people. If you can, I would urge you to attend an event so that we can mark the beginning of the reign of His Majesty the King together. Whether at the county proclamation in Ipswich or a local event in one of twenty three towns across Suffolk, I hope there is an opportunity for everyone.

Mayors, community leaders, dignitaries and other senior public figures will assemble on the steps of the Town Hall to hear the High Sherriff of Suffolk, Major Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, read the Proclamation.

Military representatives based in Suffolk from the Royal Navy, the Army (including the Army Air Corps and Royal Engineers) and the RAF (from RAF Honington) will form a Guard of Honour at the steps of the Town Hall. In addition, representatives from the Royal British Legion, Royal Navy Association, Suffolk Regiment and the RAF Association and will display their Colours and the Leiston Royal British Legion band will play music, including the National Anthem.

Ahead of the announcement, the Lord-Lieutenant for Suffolk, Clare Countess of Euston, will address those gathered and a short service of affirmation from The Bishop of Ipswich and St Edmundsbury, The Rt Revd Martin Seeley, will follow the Proclamation of the Accession being read.

Each Mayor attending the Proclamation will be presented with a scroll containing the words of the Proclamation, so that they can return to their towns to deliver local Proclamations of the Accession. These further readings will take place at 15:30 in 23 towns across the county, coordinated by local town councils.

The 23 local Proclamations of the Accession will be held in the following locations: 

  1. Hadleigh – Market Place 
  2. Sudbury – Town Hall steps 
  3. Aldeburgh – Moot Hall 
  4. Beccles – Outside Kings Head on Sheepgate/New Market
  5. Bungay – St Mary’s Church 
  6. Felixstowe – Town Hall 
  7. Framlingham – St Michael’s Church 
  8. Halesworth – Arboretum (War Memorial)
  9. Kesgrave – All Saints Church 
  10. Leiston – Post Office Square 
  11. Lowestoft – War Memorial, Royal Plain
  12. Saxmundham – Market Hall 
  13. Southwold – Town Hall 
  14. Woodbridge – Shire Hall 
  15. Eye – Town Hall 
  16. Needham Market – St John’s Church 
  17. Stowmarket – Market Place by the Memorial Clock 
  18. Brandon – Market Square 
  19. Bury St Edmunds – Angel Hill 
  20. Clare – Market Square 
  21. Haverhill - Market Square 
  22. Mildenhall - Market Square 
  23. Newmarket - Memorial Hall