Hundreds have turned out across East Lancashire to hear proclamations declaring that King Charles III is now the reigning monarch.

In Blackburn, Darwen, Burnley, Accrington and Clitheroe, crowds gathered to hear official proclamations made by local dignitaries.

In Blackburn, dozens attended to hear the Proclamation, given by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Cllr Suleman Khonat outside the town hall at 2.30pm today. In Darwen, the event took place at the town hall an hour later.

Lancashire Telegraph: Dignitaries in attendance at the Proclamation of King Charles III at Blackburn Town Hall Dignitaries in attendance at the Proclamation of King Charles III at Blackburn Town Hall (Image: Lancashire Telegraph)

The platform in Blackburn was filled with dignitaries including the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn MP Kate Hollern and the chief executive of the council, Denise Park, among others.

Flags were raised across the country to full mast on Saturday after the Privy Council met at St James Palace, with flags returned to half-mast after the proclamation took place.

Lancashire Telegraph: Royal British Legion members stood outside Blackburn Town Hall at the Proclamation of King Charles IIIRoyal British Legion members stood outside Blackburn Town Hall at the Proclamation of King Charles III (Image: Lancashire Telegraph)

Speaking in Blackburn, MP Kate Hollern said: “It has been a fantastic day at Blackburn where people have turned out to mourn the loss of The Queen but also to celebrate her life.

“She visited Blackburn in 2014 for Maundy Thursday and the children had a fantastic day.

“She filled the place with pride and pleasure, it is such a sad loss and I think it will take the country some time to get over it.

Lancashire Telegraph: Mayor of Blackburn witb Darwen, Cllr Suleman Khonat with the ProclamationMayor of Blackburn witb Darwen, Cllr Suleman Khonat with the Proclamation (Image: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council)

“She will be missed but never forgotten.”

While borough chief executive Denise Park said: “It has been lovely to see so many people here in Blackburn here for the proclamation.

“It is a historic occasion and I think people want to respect the new King and remember The Queen.”

Lancashire Telegraph: The Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Cosima Towneley, her Mayoresses and Consort with the Royal proclamation that Charles III is the new King during a ceremony in the Peace Garden, Burnley.The Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Cosima Towneley, her Mayoresses and Consort with the Royal proclamation that Charles III is the new King during a ceremony in the Peace Garden, Burnley. (Image: Burnley Council)

In Burnley, the Proclamation took place at 3pm in the Peace Garden, in Clitheroe, the event was hosted at the Castle Gates, also at 3pm on Sunday.

The main Proclamation for Lancashire was hosted in Preston in the Flag Market at 1pm.

The Queen’s funeral is to be held on Monday, September 19, at 11am at Westminster Abbey.

Lancashire Telegraph: Dignitaries at Darwen Town Hall at the Proclamation of King Charles IIIDignitaries at Darwen Town Hall at the Proclamation of King Charles III (Image: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council)

On Sunday, her coffin was taken from Balmoral, where she died on Thursday, September 8, to Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

Her Majesty will remain at the Palace of Holyroodhouse overnight on Sunday ahead of a procession along the Royal Mile to St Giles’ cathedral on Monday.

The Queen's coffin will arrive in London on Tuesday. The Queen will lie in state at Westminster Hall from Wednesday.