Local councillors, members of Parliament and residents gathered outside Kingston's Guildhall yesterday (11 September 2022) to witness the Proclamation of Accession of His Majesty King Charles III.

The proclamation was read at 4pm by Kingston's Mayor Cllr Yogan Yoganathan following an introduction from the Deputy Lieutenant.

A two-minute silence was then held in honour of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

At 11am on Proclamation Day, Saturday 10 September, the Guildhall's flag was raised to full mast and flown throughout the day. It returned to half mast on Sunday at 1pm and will remain until 8am on the day following Her Majesty's funeral.

A book of condolences is now open at the Guildhall as well as ones at Surbiton, New Malden and Hook and Chessington Libraries.

A virtual book of condolences is also available on the Kingston Council website for residents to pay their respects.

For those wishing to lay a floral tribute to mark The Queen's passing, there are a number of ways you are able to do so:

Memorial Gardens or the site of the Coronation Stone by the Guildhall in Kingston. 

In New Malden at the War Memorial or the Jubilee Square. 

Surbiton's War Memorial or Claremont Gardens with wreaths able to be placed near the Clock Tower.

For those south of the borough, residents are able to visit the Chessington War Memorial on Church Lane or Hook Community Centre.

A letter of condolence will be sent from the Mayor of Kingston to the Royal Family on behalf of the Royal Borough and the people of Kingston. 

Read: The Proclamation 

Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second of Blessed and Glorious Memory, by whose Decease the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George: We, therefore, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of this Realm and Members of the House of Commons, together with other members of Her late Majesty's Privy Council and representatives of the Realms and Territories, Aldermen and Citizens of London, and others, do now hereby with one voice and Consent of Tongue and Heart publish and proclaim that The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, become our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and Obedience with humble Affection; beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do reign to bless His Majesty with long and happy Years to reign over us.

Given at St. James's Palace on the tenth day of September in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-two.

GOD SAVE THE KING