CAPTION: Ceremonies took place in Exeter, Plymouth and a number of towns and villages across Devon
Devon’s Bishops Take Part in Historic Ceremonies to Launch Reign of King Charles III
The regional Proclamations of King Charles III as the new monarch have taken place in Exeter, Plymouth and Torquay and in a number of towns and villages across Devon.
Outside Exeter Cathedral, more than 3000 people gathered on the afternoon of 11 September to hear the official proclamation. The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev’d Robert Atwell, was present to pray the Prayer of Accession.
In Plymouth on the same afternoon, the Rev’d Prebendary James Grier, Bishop of Plymouth Designate, stood alongside the Lord Mayor outside the Guildhall to pray for the new king.
Thousands of people turned-out to watch the proclamations across Devon
He also prayed a prayer of blessing over the gathered crowd and led them in the Lord’s Prayer.
The Bishop of Crediton, the Rt Rev’d Jackie Searle, led prayers as part of the proclamation ceremony in Tiverton on Monday 12 September.
After the Exeter ceremony, Bishop Robert travelled to London to attend King Charles III first visit to Parliament since becoming monarch.
The bishop, who is one of 26 Lords’ Spiritual, was in the front row of the ceremony in Westminster Hall and said afterwards: “Today’s ceremony was poignant and profoundly moving, a watershed in the life of our nation.
“I watched history unfold before my very eyes and it was a privilege to be part of it.”
Devon’s bishops will be each be preaching at commemoration services for Queen Elizabeth on Sunday 18 September.
