Photo shows the Queen’s portrait next to a vase of lilies in The Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill.  Photo credit Tracey Franklin.

Shops and businesses in the East Surrey and North Sussex area were closed yesterday for the state funeral of Her Majesty The Queen. 

A bank holiday across the UK was approved by King Charles III for his mother’s funeral on Monday;  many local businesses closed to let their staff watch the state funeral, the first in the UK since that of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965. 

The Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill  has presented a display for the past week showing the Queen’s portrait next to a vase of white lilies, and was among those which closed their doors yesterday.

The Royal motorcade in Albion Way, Horsham, in 1978
Photo credit: Sussex Express

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In March, 1978 the Queen visited Horsham to officially open the new Queen Elizabeth 2nd Silver Jubilee School on Comptons Lane.

Banners and Pennants were erected along the route leading up to the school where the procession was lined with crowds and children waving flags.

At the time, her Majesty was accompanied by Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk, who was the first woman Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex from 1975.

If you are one of the school pupils pictured, or recognise someone, please let us know by email:
news@susyradio.com

If you have news for Sussex and Surrey, contact us on news@susyradio.com

Crawley Town Hall Proclamation
Photo credit: Sussex Express.

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Proclamation statements have been held across the region including Crawley and Tandridge where crowds gathered, as news of Charles officially becoming King is spread to the nation.

Charles III was formally proclaimed king at a historic ceremony at St James’s Palace on Saturday morning.

Flags which were lowered in mourning for the late Queen are flying at full mast after the Accession Council, which was televised for the first time.

A period of national mourning is now in place and will last until the end of the day of the Queen’s state funeral on Monday, 19 September.

Listen to the reading of the Proclamation across Surrey

If you have news for Sussex and Surrey, contact us on news@susyradio.com