NEW citizens to the Bradford district swore their allegiance to the new King, His Majesty King Charles III, for the first time today.

Two citizenship ceremonies to formally welcome new UK citizens to the city of Bradford took place at City Hall’s Banqueting Suite this morning (Thursday), welcoming around 40 people to the beginning of their new lives in the district.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Martin Love, welcomed the new citizens on behalf of the City of Bradford and presented each of them with a certificate of naturalisation.

During the ceremony, the participants swore an oath to King Charles III. As these were the first ceremonies since the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, they were also the first to include mention of the new king. The National Anthem was also sung with the words ‘God save the King’.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Martin Love said: “The citizenship ceremony is a very special way to welcome new citizens to our district and to mark the beginning of a new life in a new country. Today was also a historic occasion, recognising that His Majesty King Charles is now our Head of State.”