Sombre Stansted pays tribute to Her Majesty as Uttlesford District Council Proclaims the new King Charles III
"Very quiet and very reverent" was how Stansted Parish Council's chair described the mood in the village over the weekend as news of Queen Elizabeth II's death sank in.
On Saturday, a special memorial service was held at St John's Church to allow people to pay their respects to the late monarch, who passed away on Thursday at home in Balmoral Castle, Scotland.
Ahead of the service, council chair Maureen Caton laid a wreath at the village war memorial off Chapel Hill, where residents have been told they too can lay their floral tributes.
This week she said: "Everything is still a bit raw and people are getting used to what has happened. It is very quiet and very reverent in the village - I am in the parish council offices this morning (Monday) and the phones have not rung once. It is extremely quiet."
The council has placed a book of condolence in the library at Crafton Green which will be available for people to sign during opening hours.
At Uttlesford District Council's (UDC) headquarters in Saffron Walden on Sunday, dignitaries gathered for the reading of the Proclamation of the new sovereign, King Charles III.
The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Lorna Rolfe, gave an introduction followed by the reading of the Proclamation by UDC chair, Councillor Heather Asker. A gathering was then held afterwards in the council offices.
"This was one of the first occasions when our local community could come together and reflect on the moment when the reign of our longest-serving monarch came to an end and our new sovereign succeeded," said the council in a statement on its website, which also gives full details of where and how people can pay their respects.
In her statement, Cllr Asker said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. On behalf of everyone at the district council, I would like to express our sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this time.
"Her Majesty devoted a lifetime of extraordinary dedication and commitment to public duty to this country and worked tirelessly. She will be forever remembered as one of the greatest reigning monarchs.
"Our sorrow is shared by residents of the district and by people across the world, as we remember with affection and gratitude her lifetime of service."
UDC has also recalled the Queen's three visits to the area over the years - to Felsted School in May 2014 to mark its 450th anniversary; the offical opening of Stansted Airport in 1991 and a private family wedding in Saffron Walden in 1988 when Princess Alexandra's son, James Ogilvy wed Julia Rawlinson at St Mary's the Virgin Church, followed by a reception at Audley End House.