Prime minister Liz Truss today joined other senior parliamentarians in swearing the oath of allegiance to new monarch King Charles III.
The MPs swore “that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors according to law, so help me God”.
The ceremony took place in the House of Commons on an unusual Saturday sitting, called by Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to permit members to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death on Thurdsay.
Sir Lindsay was the first to declaim and sign the oath, followed by Father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley, Mother of the House Harriet Harman and Ms Truss.
Among the 30 MPs taking the oath were also deputy prime minister Therese Coffey, leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt, business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and former prime minister Theresa May.
The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford wore a kilt to make the oath, while Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts repeated her words in Welsh.
Christian believers held a Bible to take the oath, while non-believers made an affirmation beginning “I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm” and omitting the words “so help me God”.
Affirmations were made by Starmer, Harman, Mordaunt, shadow leader of the Commons Thangam Debbonaire and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper.
More MPs will be given the opportunity to take the oath when the Commons returns after its adjournment for the period of mourning, but there is no constitutional requirement on them to do so.
