THIS was the emotional moment when a crowd at a public gathering sang the National Anthem for the first time in Herefordshire since the death of the Queen.

It included the words 'God save our gracious King' after the proclamation of Charles III as monarch.

And at one point, as if to add emphasis, a very young voice was heard to repeat the line, "God save the King!"

There was substantial crowd was at Hereford Cathedral yesterday (Sunday) for the Proclamation of Accession, the formal method of declaring that the Queen has died that her heir, Charles III, has acceded to the throne.

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Mayor of Hereford Mark Dykes, city councillors, the Liveried Team, Hereford town clerk, and other dignitaries were led by the mayor’s officer John Marshall from Hereford Town Hall to Hereford Cathedral.

The Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff, Sarah de Rohan (accompanied by the Under Sheriff, Jeremy Wilding) made the proclamation, after which prayers were offered by the Dean, the Very Rev Sarah Brown.

Traditionally, the State Sword is carried during processions like the one yesterday, but instead one of Hereford’s most treasured artefacts was carried by the Swordbearer – the King’s Steel or Mourning Sword, according to Hereford City Council.

"It is believed to have been presented by Henry Vlll around 1528 and is only carried in the event of the death of the reigning monarch or a mayor during his year of office," a council statement said.

The sword has connections with the Battle of Mortimers Cross in 1461.

Unlike the State Sword, the Mourning Sword was used in battle in ages past.

Charles III is declared King at Hereford Cathedral. Picture: Hattie Young

Charles III is declared King at Hereford Cathedral. Picture: Hattie Young

The High Sheriff then handed each mayor of the county's market towns a copy of the proclamation to read in their own communities.

It was read at Bromyard, Kington, Ledbury and Leominster at 4pm, and at Ross-on-Wye at 5pm.

Many at Herefordshire Cathedral joined in the singing of the anthem and clapped as they welcomed King Charles to the throne.

Some were filming and taking photographs of what was a historic event.

The atmosphere was emotional. People were clearly glad to show their support for the new monarch, but also it was another sad reminder of the Queen's recent death.

After the proclamation was read the bells of the cathedral chimed joyously as the dignitaries paraded out of Cathedral Close and the crowd slowly dispersed.

King Charles III greets members of the public outside Clarence House, London, after he was formally proclaimed monarch by the Privy Council, and held audiences at Buckingham Palace with political and religious leaders following the death of Queen

King Charles III greets members of the public outside Clarence House, London, after he was formally proclaimed monarch by the Privy Council, and held audiences at Buckingham Palace with political and religious leaders following the death of Queen