Sunday 11 September 2022
Thousands of islanders gathered along the seafront today as the Bailiwick of Guernsey joined together for Proclamation Day, to mark His Majesty King Charles III ascending to the throne.
Today's historic events began at 11am with a special States Meeting held at St James, with the Bailiff reading the Proclamation of Accession and attended by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, members of the States of Deliberation, the Clergy, the Jurats and Advocates of the Royal Court and parish officials.
This was followed by a procession to the Crown Pier (also known as Victoria Pier) where huge numbers of islanders gathered to mark the occasion. The Guernsey Concert Brass Band performed before a fanfare was sounded and, at midday, His Majesty's Sheriff read the Proclamation. At the end of the reading of the Proclamation, islanders together shouted 'Dieu Sauve Le Roi'.
A 21-gun salute was fired from Castle Cornet and His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor led the Cheers of Goodwill before the ceremony ended with the National Anthem.
The final of the day's official events was a sitting of the Royal Court, where the UK Act of Proclamation was registered on the records of the Island. Oaths and Affirmations of Allegiance were also administered to the Lieutenant-Governor, the Bailiff and other senior officials and members of the States. The Bailiff also led the signing of an official book of Proclamation.
The official Proclamation read out today is below:
Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His Mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second 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 Lieutenant-Governor, Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, King's Officers, Jurats, Members of the States of Deliberation, Clergy, 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 the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain 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.
GOD SAVE THE KING
The marking of Proclamation Day is hugely significant to the Bailiwick of Guernsey, with the islands' connection to the Crown stretching back centuries. The Channel Islands are the only parts of the former Duchy of Normandy which remain loyal to the British Crown.
