A new royal era begins
FOR the first time in more than 70 years, islanders yesterday could be heard chanting ‘Dieu sauve le Roi’ (God save the King).
It formed part of a day of ceremony and celebration as the Bailiwick of Guernsey pledged its allegiance to a new monarch.
Following the principal proclamation in London, in which Charles was formally proclaimed King, Guernsey marked the historic occasion with its own ceremonial proceedings, including a special States meeting at St James and a procession to the Crown Pier.
Charles ascended to the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last Thursday.
It will be a hard act to follow but the former Prince of Wales has been preparing for this role his whole life and will have learned much from watching his mother steadfastly performing her duties over the years.
So, as we continue to mourn the Queen, we must also now look ahead to a new beginning.
It remains to be seen what the reign of King Charles III will bring. It is likely he will want to provide a sense of continuity initially, but we can expect to see some changes ahead as the royal family continues to evolve in order to remain relevant in an ever-changing world.
Here’s to a new era.