A CROWD of church-goers watched our new king give his first address to the nation.
St Michael's Church in the hilltop town of Highworth on the Swindon borough's outskirts held a special service to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
The building was full of neighbours and friends, many wearing black and funeral outfits as a sign of the nation's mourning.
Those who gathered in the historic building took in King Charles III's televised message to the country in respectful silence as the new monarch's voice echoed around the 13th century space and the church's bells rang out from above.
The service that followed included a Bible reading, a recitation of the 23rd Psalm, a blessing, the Lord's Prayer, musings by the reverend on the role Jesus played in Her Majesty's life, and two hymns - 'Abide With Me' and 'Praise Him! Praise Him!', the latter said to be one of the Queen's favourites.
The crowd was often moved by the occasion, as some bowed their heads or dabbed at their eyes during the sermon, and gave a stirring rendition of the newly-altered national anthem.
A similar service to commemorate the Queen's life was also held at St Margaret's Church in Stratton on Saturday, among other churches around the borough.
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