To take place at County Hall, Exeter, on Sunday 11th September 2022

Programme

Welcome to the Devon County Proclamation Ceremony
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant welcomes the assembly
Fanfare – Bugle
The High Sheriff reads the Proclamation.

You can download the original programme for printing, but be aware this is formatted for an A5 stapled booklet, and may not be wholly accessible for screen readers. The text is reproduced below.

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 this tenth day of September in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-two.

The High Sheriff says:
God save the King

The assembly replies:
God save the King

The High Sheriff leads three cheers for King Charles III

The Bishop of Exeter then says the PRAYER OF ACCESSION, followed by the PRAYER FOR KING CHARLES:

Almighty God, ruler over all the nations of the world
and guardian of all who lead them,
you have called your Servant our Sovereign Lord, King Charles,
to the throne of this realm:
guide him with your wisdom, strengthen him with your power,
and let justice, truth, and holiness, peace and love,
and all those virtues that come from you, flourish in his days.
Grant that all he will say and do will be to your glory,
and for the welfare of his people;
and give us grace to obey him gladly and willingly, with integrity;
that neither our sinful inclinations, nor our selfish concerns,
may undermine his care for the public good.
Let him always possess the hearts of his people
that we may honour him and submit dutifully to his authority.
Let his reign be long and prosperous,
and crown him with immortality in the life to come;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All: Amen

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
bless our Sovereign Lord, King Charles III,
and all who are in authority under him;
that they may order all things
in wisdom and equity, righteousness and peace,
to the honour of your name,
and the good of your Church and people,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All: Amen

Let us pray with confidence, as our Saviour taught us:

Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Cathedral choir will now sing the traditional hymn O God, our help in ages past

BLESSING:

God grant to the living, grace;
to Our Late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth
and all the departed, rest;
to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth, and all humankind,
peace and concord;
and to us and all his servants, life everlasting;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All: Amen

All sing the NATIONAL ANTHEM

God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us,
God save the King.

As host and on behalf of the County of Devon, Councillor Ian Hall says a few words to close the ceremony.