History teacher, and deputy mayor of Alton, Councillor Suzie Burns was “immensely proud” to read the proclamation declaring King Charles III’s accession to the throne at the war memorial cairn in Alton High Street on September 11.

The Liberal Democrat town and district councillor for Alton Ashdell, and teacher at Alton School, said it was a great privilege to read the historic announcement – being “how people have heard the news that a new monarch has acceded to the throne for centuries”.

Cllr Burns was joined by fellow councillors, East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds, and a sizeable turnout of members of the public for the landmark occasion, the first such proclamation for more than 70 years.

The Union Flags on the Alton war memorial green were raised to full mast for the proclamation, and then lowered again for the duration of the period of national mourning.

Also speaking after Alton’s proclamation event, Mr Hinds congratulated Alton Town Council on organising a “very well done” event at such short notice.

“The proclamation is rather lovely,” he added. “It is quite old fashioned, but it reminds us of a time when this was the only way to get the message out that a new monarch had acceded to the throne.

“Strictly speaking we didn’t need to do it, but it brings us together in a shared moment of sorrow and celebration of a new King.”