Charles III is proclaimed king – The Royal Gazette

Updated: Sep 11, 2022 4:12 PM

Proclamation Ceremony: The Royal Bermuda Regiment (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

The accession of King Charles III was proclaimed this morning in Front Street by Rena Lalgie, the governor, during a ceremony attended by lawmakers and a hushed crowd of spectators.

A 21-gun salute thundered over Hamilton Harbor to mark the close of the proclamation shortly after 9am, which follows the King’s official proclamation at a ceremony yesterday at St James’s Palace in London.

Flanked by police motorbikes, the Governor’s car pulled up in front of the podium of MPs and other guests at the flagpole on Front Street after the Royal Bermuda Regiment formed up.

Proclamation Ceremony: Rena Lalgie, Governor of Bermuda (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

Ms Lalgie opened the proclamation with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday.

As Commander-in-Chief of Bermuda, Ms Lalgie ‘hereby with one voice and consent of tongue and heart’ proclaimed Prince Charles Philip Arthur George King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

He was also proclaimed “Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith”.

Walter Roban, Acting Prime Minister at today’s proclamation ceremony. (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

A crowd of around 200 spectators gathered early this morning to watch a ceremony that hadn’t been seen in decades – with many people unsure how the event would unfold.

Among the guests at the podium was Sir John Swan, the former Prime Minister, who recalled seeing the newly crowned Queen when she visited Bermuda in 1953 with her husband Prince Philip.

“She came to the throne the year I was 17, and she passed the year I turned 87,” Sir John said.

“When you look today around the world at the leaders who have emerged, I don’t think you can find one who has been so profound, so dignified and so generous with his time.”

He said he hoped King Charles III would “exemplify what his mother stood for”.

Sir John added: ‘I congratulate the Governor, who read the proclamation in a very dignified and frank manner.

“It bodes well for Bermuda. As a colony, we will adhere to the principles of good governance. We count on the King to visit us and walk in Bermuda in the footsteps of his mother. We stand ready to greet him as soon as he is ready.

Proclamation Ceremony: The Royal Bermuda Regiment (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

Sharon Riviere, 77, watched the ceremony from the corner of Burnaby Street where the regimental band played God save the king.

Ms Rivière also recalled the 1953 royal visit.

“I was eight years old and my mum, sister and I were standing outside Parliament in front of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

“Since then, I have followed the royal family. Now, at 77, she will not be my queen, but the monarchy will be part of my heart.”