King Charles III was formally proclaimed monarch over the past weekend, in a series of ceremonies across the United Kingdom, Overseas territories and Commonwealth.
The first proclamation was made on Saturday, during an accession ceremony at St James Palace in London.
There, David White, the Garter King of Arms, delivered the King’s official proclamation as follows:
“Whereas it has pleased almighty God to call to his mercy our late sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth II of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is solely and rightfully come to the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George We, therefore, the lords spiritual and temporal of this realm, and members of the House of Commons, together with other members of Her late Majesty’s Privy Council, and representatives of the realms and territories, aldermen, and citizens of London and others, do now hereby, with one voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, is now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become our only lawful and rightful liege lord, Charles III, by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, and of his other realms and territories, King, head of the Commonwealth, defender of the faith, to whom we do acknowledge all faith and obedience with humble affection, beseeching God, by whom kings and queens do reign, to bless His Majesty with long and happy years to reign over us.”
On Sunday, the British Virgin Islands and the 5 other Caribbean Overseas Territories, held their own proclamation ceremonies to declare the new Sovereign.
In a brief ceremony, Governor John Rankin read the proclamation Officially naming His Majesty King Charles III as the new King of the British Virgin Islands.
The proclamation read : “Whereas it has pleased Almighty God, to call to his mercy our late Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth II of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the Crown has solely and rightfully come, to the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, I, John James Rankin, CMG Governor of the Virgin Islands, do now hereby with one voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and proclaim that the Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become our only lawful and right liege lord, Charles the III, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of all His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to whom we do acknowledge all Faith and Obedience with humble Affection, beseeching God by whom Kings and Queens do reign, to bless His Majesty with long and happy years to reign over us.”
Following the reading of the proclamation The Governor, joined an audience which included Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, Deputy Governor David Archer Jr. and Members of the House of Assembly, in singing the national anthem, now known as “God Save the King”.
This was followed by a 21-gun salute.
Similar activities were held in the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Anguilla, Bermuda and the Turks and Caicos Islands that same day.