“THE new King is forward-looking and that’s exactly what the country needs,” said the Lord Mayor of Oxford, as council leaders across the county welcomed the new British monarch.
King Charles III and his Queen Consort have been on a tour of the home nations this week and will return to London this evening, while members of the public are already queueing for the Queen’s lying in state at Westminster Hall, which opens on Wednesday, and thousands are still placing floral tributes in Green Park.
Councillor James Fry, who spoke during the King’s proclamation in Oxford on Sunday, told the Oxford Mail: “The new King has got a good track record when it comes to important issues and I am hoping he will take on the Duke of Edinburgh awards, which are a great way of getting young people involved in all sorts of things for the community – I think it would be nice if he could take that on.
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“He has been particularly vocal on certain issues, including diversity for example, and I think he has what it takes to lead with the right sentiment – I think he has shown in the past that he is looking at the future and he is willing to be outward-looking, which is what the country needs.
“I am looking forward to welcoming him in Oxford. I think our proclamation was as good as it could get, without taking away from the solemnity of the occasion.”
Councillor Liz Leffman, who leads Oxfordshire County Council, said that Oxford’s proclamation, which took place one day after the King’s official proclamation at St James’s Palace, in London, was “a very moving occasion.”
Thousands of people lined the streets of the city centre to witness processions and a series of speeches.
Cllr Leffman said: “It was an historic moment and I was very proud to be part of it. It may not happen again in my lifetime and it was very moving to be there to witness it.
“I would also like to praise the organisation of the event which took place at a very short notice.
“I wish a long and healthy life to our new King Charles III and I am looking forward to welcoming him to Oxford again.
“I understand that he has very strong links and a special bond with the city and the community, and he will be welcome to visit with the Queen Consort when the time comes.”
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Councillor Susan Brown, the leader of Oxford City Council, also attended the proclamation and said it was “a strange and solemn experience”
She said: “I’m honoured to have participated at Oxford's proclamation of the new monarch. “A huge thank you to David Hawkins and all the staff Oxford Town Hall for organising at naturally very short notice a very smooth running ceremony.”
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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi
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