The reign of His Majesty King Charles III will be proclaimed across Suffolk on Sunday 11 September - and the county's citizens, including those from the Shotley peninsula, are encouraged to attend these historic events.     

In line with Royal protocols, the formal announcement of the new Sovereign - known as the Proclamation of the Accession - will be made from St James Palace and at the Royal Exchange in London today. 

The same Proclamation will then be read in Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh on Sunday.  

The first reading of the Proclamation in Suffolk will be at 13:00 on Sunday, with Felixstowe mayor Sharon Harkin in attendance, from the balcony of Ipswich Town Hall, overlooking the Cornhill and a crowd of up to 7,000 people.  

These further readings will take place at 15:30 in 23 towns across the county, with Cllr Harkin making the announcement from the steps of Felixstowe town hall.

Further events in the town are listed below.

Suffolk's Lord-Lieutenant, Clare Countess of Euston, said: "Sunday will be a truly significant moment in the history of our nation and Suffolk is ready to play its role in making it a special memory for thousands of people. If you can, I would urge you to attend an event so that we can mark the beginning of the reign of His Majesty the King together.

Whether at the county proclamation in Ipswich or a local event in one of twenty three towns across Suffolk, I hope there is an opportunity for everyone." 

Mayors, community leaders, dignitaries and other senior public figures will assemble on the steps of the Town Hall to hear the High Sherriff of Suffolk, Major Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, read the Proclamation.   

Military representatives based in Suffolk from the Royal Navy, the Army (including the Army Air Corps and Royal Engineers) and the RAF (from RAF Honington) will form a Guard of Honour at the steps of the Town Hall. In addition, representatives from the Royal British Legion, Royal Navy Association, Suffolk Regiment and the RAF Association and will display their Colours and the Leiston Royal British Legion band will play music, including the National Anthem.   

Ahead of the announcement, the Lord-Lieutenant for Suffolk, Clare Countess of Euston, will address those gathered and a short service of affirmation from The Bishop of Ipswich and St Edmundsbury, The Rt Revd Martin Seeley, will follow the Proclamation of the Accession being read.    

Felixstowe service

A Service will take place at St. John's Church, Orwell Road at 4.30pm on Sunday. All are welcome to join. 

Union Flag: 

The Union flag at the Town Hall is at half-mast but will be flown at full-mast from 11am Saturday 10th September for the National Proclamation, before being returned to half-mast after the local Proclamation on Sunday, and until 8am the day after the State Funeral. 

State funeral and national two minutes silence: 

The Mayor and Councillors will gather on the steps of the Town Hall to observe the national two minutes silence on the day of the State Funeral. 

A period of National Mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has now started. The period of National Mourning will continue until the end of the day of the State Funeral.  Public Council and Committee meetings are suspended during this time as a mark of respect.  Official Statement from the Mayor of Felixstowe: 

In her official statement, the Mayor of Felixstowe, Councillor Sharon Harkin, said: "Felixstowe joins the nation in mourning the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our longest reigning monarch – Elizabeth the Great. 

"I'm finding it most difficult to contemplate the death of such a remarkable woman and sovereign – the only sovereign most of us have ever known. 

"The Queen's life was defined by her selfless service to her country and the Commonwealth, to her family and her subjects. She set the highest standards of "public service guiding the nation both at the best of times and the hardest of days. 

"The immense dignity and integrity with which she carried out her role has been a source of pride and inspiration to us all.  

 "It was only back in June that the Platinum Jubilee brought everyone together in joyful celebration, sharing an incredibly special moment in history. Once again, we will be united in remembering The Queen with great affection and gratitude. On behalf of the Council and the people of Felixstowe I would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to our new King and the wider Royal Family at this profoundly sad time. Not only for their loss, the loss of a mother, a grandmother or great-grandmother but for the nation's loss too. 

"As a council and as a community, we will pause at this time to mourn together, to pay our respects, as we mark the passing of 'our' Queen, who gave her heart to the nation and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Elizabeth Regina."