The Proclamation

My blip is a collage of photos from today’s Accession Council and proclamation of monarch by the council and then from a balcony at St James’s Palace (thought ok to do this as the King wanted it broadcast). Whilst Charles automatically became King on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, this was the ceremonial and formalities that go back in history when news was ‘broadcast’ by a proclamation announced by trumpets, spread by sound via gun salutes, then spread across the country by riders on horseback. It was fascinating to see aspects of the working of our governance that we don’t usually see, including the Privy Council with six ex Prime Ministers (top right) - this sort of council goes back to the time of Norman Kings. It was the first time the Accession Council was televised (only the 2nd opportunity). 

A 2nd proclamation took place in the City of London outside the Royal Exchange. I worked for about a year in offices opposite Mansion House, across the road from the Bank of England and the Royal Exchange and a few minutes walk from St Paul’s Cathedral and Guildhall. I loved all the history around me and remember seeing an illustration of Henry VIII’s coronation procession through the area. I know a lot of people dismiss all the ceremony as old fashioned and irrelevant, but I believe it is important to formalise things with some gravity, to let us witness it, to involve us and unite us, to mark momentous occasions, which all adds to stability and a sense of culture we all feel part of and buy into. And of course these particular ceremonies make us feel connected with 1,000 years of our history.