Friday 09 September 2022
On Sunday 11th September the Bailiwick of Guernsey will mark Proclamation Day and celebrate the new King ascending to the throne, and Islanders are invited to participate in this historic occasion.
The ceremonial proceedings on the day will begin at 11am with a special States Meeting held at St James where the Bailiff will read the Proclamation of Accession. This will be followed by a procession to the Crown Pier (also known as Victoria Pier) where the public is invited to gather and where at 12noon His Majesty's Sheriff will read the Proclamation.
These events will take place the day after the Principal Proclamation in London is held, and on the same day as the Proclamations in other Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies.
Special States Meeting
The special States Meeting is being held at St James. The Bailiff, His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, members of the States of Deliberation, the Clergy, the Jurats and Advocates of the Royal Court and parish officials will attend. Members of the public are welcome to attend to watch the States Meeting, however, there is limited capacity within the venue and admission will be on a 'first come, first served' basis.
Procession to the Crown Pier
Following the States Meeting, officials will leave St James in a procession, led by the Corps of Drums of Elizabeth College via St James Street, Smith Street and Le Pollet.
Proclamation at the Crown Pier
The procession will arrive at the Crown Pier by 11.45am. Islanders are invited to attend this public Proclamation to see and take part in the ceremonial proceedings.
The Guernsey Concert Brass Band will perform until shortly before 12noon when a fanfare will be sounded, and His Majesty's Sheriff then reads the Proclamation. At the end of the reading of the Proclamation, Islanders will shout together 'Dieu Sauve Le Roi'.
A 21-gun salute will then be fired from Castle Cornet, and His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor will lead the Cheers of Goodwill.
Finally, the ceremony will end with the National Anthem performed by the Guernsey Concert Brass Band.
Islanders are encouraged to arrive at the Crown Pier before 11.45am to ensure they are in place before the procession arrives, and attendants will be at the location to assist anyone who requires additional support.
Parking at North Beach and the Albert Pier will be open as normal during the ceremony but The Quay and North Esplanade will be closed to traffic.
Sitting of the Royal Court
At the end of the Proclamation ceremony at the Crown Pier, the officials will return to St James to take part in a special sitting of the Royal Court. At this sitting, the Proclamation will be registered on the records of the Island. Oaths and Affirmations of Allegiance will be administered to the Lieutenant-Governor, the Bailiff and other senior officials and members of the States.
The public are also welcome to attend at St James for this special sitting of the Royal Court, noting that seating is limited.
Exceptions for half-masting during this period of mourning
On 10th September, when the Principal Proclamation is read in London, and on the 11th September when the Proclamations in Guernsey are held, there is specific guidance for flag-flying. The Union Flag and all other official flags should be raised to full mast between the hours of 9am and 10.30am on the 10th and remain at full mast until 1pm on the 11th, at which time the Union and official flags should return to being flown at half-mast.
