Colchester to officially become a city this afternoon
It will join Chelmsford and Southend as the third city in Essex
Colchester will officially become a city this afternoon when the Letters Patent - an official document written on parchment - will be presented to the Mayor during a special meeting of the Full Council.
The historic ceremony will begin at 5.30pm with a civic procession of dignitaries and councillors.
The public will be able to watch the procession as it moves from the Mercury Theatre, along High Street to the Town Hall, where the Town Crier will deliver a proclamation.
More than 20 Ukrainian and other refugees who have made their new loves in Colchester will also join the procession and fly flags.
Councillors will sit for the last time as a Borough Council at 6pm, for a formal robed meeting of the Full Council.
The public can follow the proceedings live on the council's YouTube channel, where the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst will present the Letters Patent to the first ever Lord Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Tim Young.
Councillor Tim Young told us: "We have tried many times to become a city, this is our fifth attempt. We're just so fortunate and privileged that as one of her last acts before her sad death, Queen Elizabeth II, as part of her Platinum Jubilee, decided to make us one of the eight new cities in the UK and we're absolutely delighted about it."
Following speeches from the Mayor and Lord Lieutenant, the meeting will see a vote on resolution to change from Colchester Borough Council to Colchester City Council.
Once approved, Colchester officially becomes a city.
Councillor Tim Young told us about the future of the new city: "The sky is the limit. We've got so much to show off in Colchester and being awarded city status can only play into that really well. We're looking forward to many more people coming in, enjoying the sights and sounds of Colchester and it's neighbouring villages and all that we have to offer."