Select a region
Charles III has formally been proclaimed King in Jersey.
Here's how it happened, step by step...
12:00 Special Sitting of the States Assembly to receive the Proclamation.
The Bailiff gave a speech paying tribute to Her Majesty.
States Members were then asked by the Chief Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, to approve a bank holiday for the funeral of Her Majesty on Monday 19 September, which they did with 44 votes in favour.
Closing the Special Sitting, the Bailiff then read the letter of condolencesent by his office on behalf of islanders.
12:30 Public Proclamation ceremony in the Royal Square.
The Bailiff firstly gave a speech, before reading the formal Proclamation.
Islanders sing 'God save the King', and the Bailiff leads three "hip hip, hooray!" cheers for the new King.
12:50 Registering of the Proclamation in the Royal Court.
12:50 21-Gun Salute at the Glacis Field.
13:00 Flags return to half-mast.
"Members have gathered this afternoon at the earliest opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of Her Majesty The Queen, a remarkable lady who has been our Queen our since 1952 and who has over that time earned the respect of millions. As I speak, there are probably many thousands gathering in similar circumstances elsewhere throughout the Commonwealth to reflect on the life of our late Sovereign and to come to terms with her passing.
There is no doubt in my mind that the people of this Island hold a very deep and loyal affection for the late Queen our Duke and a regard and respect for her of the highest order. She has been a constant and central presence in the life of the people of the British Isles generally. Her life has been a life of duty, and I know that there a great number in our community who would wish to honour her memory as a measure of our collective loyalty to the Crown and recognition of her service. Her life brought many blessings to us all and she will be remembered with great warmth.
It is right and proper, along with other communities throughout the Commonwealth, that in Jersey the States Assembly should convene to honour our late Sovereign. As a Crown Dependency, Jersey has every reason to be thankful for the life of our late Queen and to celebrate her many achievements, personal leadership, and charisma that has had such a positive impact on the people of the Commonwealth during the post war era. She was and is an example to us all – compassionate when needed, resilient when under pressure, gracious and above all, deeply interested in the lives of her peoples in all corners of the Commonwealth.
She was a modern Queen, and pioneered a new generation of the Royal Family. On the demise of her father, King George VI, she had to step in at a young age to take his place when she heard of his death while visiting Kenya in 1952 in an official capacity. Later that year she was crowned "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith".
As the longest reigning monarch in the history of the British Isles. The Queen understood better than many the requirement of duty and service to her people and Jersey was blessed indeed to receive her on no fewer than 6 occasions during her reign. Without exception on every one of those occasions she was warmly received into the heart of our community and indeed the hearts of individual Islanders where she was admired and revered for her interest in all things local. Indeed, as our Queen, notre Duc, her life was both long and productive and, by example to all of us in this Chamber who aspire to serve the community, she was an exemplary leader who inspired many. Our thoughts are with all members of the Royal Family at this time of deep sorrow and profound loss."
"Following the sadness of the last few days it is a great honour and privilege to read the Proclamation of the Accession to the throne of His Majesty King Charles III, after which it will be registered in the roles of the Royal Court.
Tributes have been rightly paid in the States Assembly on Friday to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and those tributes were both full and well deserved.
During the 70 years of her reign she served all her peoples with an exemplary dedication and skill. Her qualities of kindness and resolve, of dignity and humanity, made her a truly exceptional monarch. She was the steadying hand, the constant presence, giving a sense of reassuring continuity and calm during sometimes troubled and uncertain times.
She worked tirelessly. She held Jersey in great affection and regard visiting us some 6 times and showing a warmth which was reciprocated by the people of Jersey on each occasion. She sent us a warm note through the Earl and Countess of Wessex as recently as Liberation Day last and received our loyal greeting in response. We all feel a sense of loss and sadness and many feel that we have lost a friend as well as a sovereign and Duke. We honour her memory and thank her for her service. Never was a promise, made when she was but 21, been so obviously and fully kept.
On the passing of Her Late Majesty, His Majesty King Charles III acceded to the throne and became King automatically. But nonetheless he was still to be proclaimed King throughout his realms and this was done for the first time in London yesterday after the meeting of the Accession Council.
Anyone who saw His Majesty King Charles’ first address to the nation on Friday evening will I am sure, recognise many of the qualities of dignity, decency, and kindness that so characterised his late mother. If we watched the televising of the Accession Council yesterday we will have remarked to ourselves how His Majesty already wears the mantle of kingship, it was a moving experience. He will, I believe, reign as an exceptional King connected to His people .
His Majesty King Charles III sits on the throne and is our sovereign, our Duke. He has visited us in Jersey with his now Queen Consort and they showed the warmth that we have come to recognise in a Royal visitor. We hope very much that the King will be able to visit us in the years to come.
The last time a Charles was proclaimed King in Jersey – 373 years ago - the circumstances were very different. King Charles II succeeded his father King Charles I who had been executed in London. He, King Charles II, was first proclaimed King in Jersey fully 10 years before he was proclaimed in England with those who did so assuming great personal risk. In line with more recent tradition we proclaim the accession of HM King Charles III following the proclamation in London and our connection and link to the Crown is as deep and important to us as ever. I, and most here, were not born when there was last such a proclamation and we are connected to what has passed by our participation in an almost timeless ritual of transition and continuity."
"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, the Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, Officers of the Crown, Dean of Jersey, Jurats, Members of the States Assembly and the people of Jersey gathered here today in accordance with the Law of Jersey, therefore do now hereby publish and proclaim that The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George is now, by the Death of our late Sovereign of Happy Memory, has 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, our Duke, with long and happy years to reign over us.
GOD SAVE THE KING."
View this post on Instagram
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.