HUNDREDS of people gathered in Christchurch over the weekend for a thanksgiving service that “did the Queen proud”.

The Priory in Christchurch has welcomed visitors to remember Her Majesty The Queen in a special memorial service held Sunday.

Members of the public joined the church in prayers and singing, with many signing a book of condolence to show their respects.

There was also a visit from the Mayor of Christchurch Cllr Mrs Avril Coulton, and time for visitors to engage in private prayer and candle lighting.

The service was described by Councillor Lesley Dedman as “absolutely perfect”.

She said: “Christchurch was absolutely packed with people.

“The atmosphere was respectful- as it always is at the church-but welcoming of the King. A lot of people were saying, and I feel this myself, that we’ve never known anything but the Queen, so it feels like a whole new era.

Read more: Christchurch mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II

“The singing was lovely, and the choir was perfect- as they always are at The Priory. They sang their hearts out.

“As much as you can enjoy a commemoration, it was perfect. Christchurch did the Queen proud.”

On the same day, hundreds of others attended a proclamation for King Charles III in Bournemouth. The proclamation was read out by Cllr Nigel Hedges, The Chairman of BCP Council, at 3pm outside the Civic Centre.

Wimborne also held its own proclamation for King Charles III on Sunday afternoon, attended by the Rector of Wimborne Minster the Revd Canon Andrew Rowland.

The town mayor Cllr Carol Butter announced the town council statement, which was followed by the reading of the proclamation.

Read more: Photos of the Queen in Dorset during her life

Floral tributes were laid on the Minster green, and a book of condolence was opened at the reception area of the Town Council Office. It will remain there and be available to sign until Tuesday, September 20.

But Sunday was not the first opportunity for the public to pay their respects- on Friday, the day after the Queen’s passing, the Priory was opened for visitors to sign a book of condolence, say a prayer, or lay flowers.

Its church bells rang at noon, joining churches, chapels, and cathedrals all around the country in Her Majesty’s honour.