'LONG live the King' rung out across Northumberland for the first time in decades as the Royal Proclamation was read to mark the accession to the throne for King Charles.
Hexham Mayor Derek Kennedy read out the proclamation at Hexham Market Place on Sunday.
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Town Crier Joe Mills introduced the High Sheriff of Northumberlan, Colonel James Royds, who made a preamble reading before handing over to Cllr Kennedy.
To cries of 'Long live the King', more than 200 people gathered along with Hexham Town councillors for the ancient reading.
The proclamation began: "We come together this afternoon following the passing of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth the Second. Our sadness at this time is shared by people across the globe, as we remember with affection and gratitude the lifetime of service given by our longest-reigning monarch.
"But the basis on which our monarchy is built has ensured that through the centuries the Crown has passed in an unbroken line of succession.
"Today's ceremony marks the formal Proclamation to the people of the County of Northumberland of the beginning of our new King's reign.
"Yesterday the Accession Council met at St. James's Palace to proclaim our new Sovereign. The flags which had flown at half mast since The Queen's death were raised briefly to their full height to mark the start of His Majesty's reign.
"The Accession Council also made an Order requiring High Sheriff's to cause the Proclamation to be read in the areas of their jurisdiction.
"It is that task which as High Sheriff of Northumberland and with my humble duty I will in a few moments discharge here today," it said.
"The proclamation of the new Sovereign is a very old tradition which can be traced back over many centuries.
"The ceremony does not create a new King. It is simply an announcement of the accession which took place immediately on the death of the reigning monarch.
"In an age where modern methods of communication convey news around the globe in an instant, the proclamation is no longer the means by which people learn for the first time that they have a new Monarch. Today, however, is one of the first occasions when communities have an opportunity to come together and reflect on the moment in our nation's history when the reign of our longest-serving monarch came to an end and our new Sovereign succeeded.
"When I have read the Proclamation I will present copies to the Mayors and Chairmen of Boroughs and Districts within this County so that they in turn may return to read the Proclamation in their own communities."
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