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The cry of God Save The King and the response in French could be heard across the St Peter Port seafront as a crowd of people gathered for the Proclamation of King Charles III at lunchtime, with events occurring simultaneously in Alderney and Sark too.
Today's Proclamation follows the Principal Proclamation of King Charles III in London yesterday, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II less than 48 hours prior.
Pictured: The then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III and his Queen Consort, during a visit to Guernsey's Les Bourgs Hospice in July 2012 (Tracey Bougourd).
The Bailiwick held its own Proclamation ceremonies, along with other overseas territories to swear allegiance to the Crown.
This reflects the historic link between the islands and the British Monarchy which stems from their role as successor to the Dukes of Normandy.
The Channel Islands are the only part of the former Duchy of Normandy which remains loyal to the British Crown and is why people toast ‘La Reine, Notre Duc’ (‘The Queen, our Duke’).
Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh.
Pictured: The Town Church at midday as the events at the Crown Pier commenced.
This morning, island dignitaries including the Bailiff, the island's judges and jurats, advocates of the Royal Court, parish officials and deputies gathered at St James where the Proclamation was read. Led by the Corps of Drums from Elizabeth College, there was a procession through town to the Quay.
There, the Proclamation was read, and responded to, with a 21-gun salute from Castle Cornet followed by the bells ringing from the Town Church.
The formal Proclamation was made by the Sheriff in English, with the crowd gathered responding ‘Dieu Sauve Le Roi’ (French for God Save The King).
Pictured: The Town Quay was closed for the Proclamation, with a crowd centred around the top of the Crown Pier.
Three cheers for King Charles III, led by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, could be heard along the Quay, along with the National Anthem reflecting the new sovereign's status. Music was provided by the Guernsey Concert Brass Band.
Following the Proclamation, the officials returned to St James for a special sitting of the Royal Court where the Proclamation was registered on the records of the island.
The Lieutenant Governor, the Bailiff, and other island officials had to re-commit their oath of allegiance to King Charles III.
They were also expected to formally approve the Public Holiday designated for the day of Her Majesty The Queen's State Funeral.
That will be held on Monday 19 September and King Charles approved a Public Holiday in the UK for it during his Principal Proclamation yesterday.
Proclamation Day was marked in Alderney with a special States Meeting and public Proclamation at the Island Hall.
States of Alderney Member Steve Roberts described it as a "momentous day".
A momentous day pic.twitter.com/VLetAvQy59
— steve roberts (@captainpipkin) September 11, 2022
In Sark, the island was expected to gather for the Proclamation.
Ahead of this, the Seigneur and his wife laid flowers at the island's war memorial for Queen Elizabeth II, on behalf of the island.
For you Ma’am. #TheQueen pic.twitter.com/UcLzYX7lMb
— Sarah Beaumont (@pencadlys) September 11, 2022
Major Christopher Beaumont had previously acknowledged the death of Her Majesty by tweeting "what sadness. I am so sorry to hear the news. My thoughts are with the family."
His wife, Sarah Beaumont had described the Proclamation for the new King as honouring the island's "unique relationship" with the Monarchy, "which we share with nowhere else; King Charles III is our Duc de Normandy. To him we owe our fief and our autonomy. We surely are blessed Islanders."
Pictured: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on a visit to Guernsey in 2005 (Chris George).
Following the culmination of today's Proclamation events, all Union and official flags should be returned to half-mast in deference to Queen Elizabeth II.
They had been requested to be raised to full-mast for the Proclamation but must be at half-mast for the duration of the National Mourning period, which will continue until the end of Monday 19 September, following Her Majesty's State Funeral.
Pictured top: The Proclamation of King Charles III at the Town Quay (Toni Clayton.
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