The Council's Proclamation of Accession, which confirms the name of the heir, is signed by all the attendant Privy Counsellors. The proclamation is traditionally read out at several locations in London, Edinburgh, Windsor, and York. It may also be read at a central location in a town or village. The most recent proclamation was as follows: Though proclamations have been worded broadly the same, they also vary as necessary. In the case of Victoria, certain words were included which expressly reserved the rights of any child of the late king, William IV, which might be borne to his widow, Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen. In the case of George VI, the proclamation was reworded because Edward VIII had abdicated, rather than died, and "Emperor of India" was added at the end of the list of titles until that title was relinquished by George VI. The proclamation has been ceremonially read out in various locations around the United Kingdom. By custom, it is usually first read from the Friary Court balcony at St James's Palace by the heralds of the College of Arms. The heralds proceed to travel and read it at various points in London until they reach the Royal Exchange where it is read in the presence of the Lord Mayor of London and other officials. Likewise, the heralds of the Court of the Lord Lyon also publicly read the proclamation from Mercat Cross in Edinburgh.
Oaths
Under the Acts of Union 1707, monarchs are required upon succeeding to the throne to make an oath to "maintain and preserve" the Church of Scotland. This oath is normally made at the Accession Council. The provision in Article XXV Section II of the Acts of Union 1707 states with respect to confirmed Acts of Scotland: Once the monarch makes a sacred oath to the council, the Garter King of Arms steps onto the Proclamation Gallery which overlooks Friary Court to announce the new monarch. Queen Elizabeth II was in Kenya when she acceded to the throne, and the Accession Council therefore met twice, first for the proclamation and again so that the new Queen could take the oath.. Upon accession, a new sovereign is also required to make what is known as the Accession Declaration. This is not usually made at a meeting of the Accession Council but in the presence of Parliament on the first State Opening following the monarch's accession to the throne or at his coronation, whichever occurs first. King George VI made the declaration at his coronation. In addition to the above oath and declaration, should a monarch have a coronation, he or she makes a Coronation Oath which contains references to the Church of England.
While "The King is dead. Long live the King" is commonly believed to be part of the official text of the Proclamation of Accession read out following the decision of the Accession Council as to the rightful heir to the throne, it is in fact only tradition that causes it to be recited immediately after the proclamation is read aloud in many villages and towns.
