Select a region
The King's Coronation yesterday was marked across the Commonwealth, with people in our Bailiwick formally welcoming Notre Duc as our Monarch.
This reflects the fact that the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey are the only parts of the former Duchy of Normandy which remains loyal to the British Crown.
As we explored at the time of his Mother's death, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was also known as Notre Duc.
Pictured: Notre Duc, Elizabeth II.
The Channel Islands’ connection to the Crown stretches back centuries
It is this connection which gives our islands their status as Crown Dependencies, and which makes us British but not part of the UK, and which gives us our Duc rather than a King, or Queen.
The Channel Islands formally became part of the Duchy of Normandy in 933, with Normandy and England coming under a common ruler from 1066 following the victory of William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings.
Although King John lost continental Normandy in 1204, the Channel Islands stayed loyal to the English Crown.
The relationship between the Channel Islands and the monarchy was formalised in 1259 with the Treaty of Paris agreed between Henry III of England and Louis IX of France.
Although Henry III abandoned his right to the title 'Duke of Normandy', his rights to the islands were confirmed and he continued ruling the islands in that capacity.
The islands have continued to observe their own established laws, liberties and customs ever since. These rights have been confirmed through a series of Charters by successive Kings and Queens and are the origins and basis of our status as a Crown Dependency.
Through this tradition, His Majesty Charles III is known in the Bailiwick of Guernsey as The King, but through our connection with the Duchy of Normandy, his official title in the islands is 'Notre Duc' ('Our Duke').
Charles' time has come and he'll "just get on with it"
FOCUS: Why is the King our Duc?
GALLERY: Guernsey's Proclamation Day
Coronation public holiday confirmed
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.