London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025

Senior MPs take oath of allegiance to King Charles

Senior MPs take oath of allegiance to King Charles

Senior MPs including Prime Minister Liz Truss have sworn a new oath of allegiance to King Charles III in a special session of Parliament.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle opened proceedings by taking the oath, followed by Sir Peter Bottomley, the longest-serving MP.

Sir Keir Starmer and former PM Theresa May were also pledging allegiance.

In a rare Saturday sitting, MPs and peers gathered for a second day of tributes to the late Queen.

MPs are sworn in after each general election so they can take their seat, speak in debates, vote and receive a salary.

The wording of the oath means MPs have already pledged their allegiance to the heirs and successors of the Queen, meaning they do not have to do it again at this point.

Sir Lindsay told MPs: "There will be further opportunities for all honourable members to take the oath or make the affirmation following her late majesty's funeral.

"There is no procedural requirement to do so."

Ms Truss was foremost among those taking the pledge, speaking the words: "I swear by almighty God, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God."

Following the taking of oaths, MPs took it in turns to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II and recount their memories of the late monarch.

Many MPs used their speeches to tell amusing and at times emotional anecdotes about the Queen's wisdom, sense of humour and ability to put people at their ease.

In all, 321 MPs spoke in the two-day session.

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt made the final speech of the special two-day session, closing proceedings by praising the Queen's "devotion to duty" and public service.

"Our great Queen has entrusted us all with a living legacy of triumph and over tribulation, of cheerfulness over challenge, of dedication and determination," Ms Mordaunt said.

"She has left us, her values remain with us. Her example compels us to continued fidelity to our king and our country. God save the King."

Wrapping up, Sir Lindsay said a humble address - which is a message to the monarch - paying tribute to the King Charles would be presented to His Majesty.

With that Parliament was adjourned until after 21 September, during a period of national mourning.

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle was the first MP to take the oath


Ms Truss, who was invited to form a government by the late Queen on Tuesday, had her initial audience with King Charles on Friday.

The prime minister curtsied as she was ushered in by a royal aide for the first of what will be their regular weekly encounters.

Earlier on Saturday, senior ministers attended the Accession Council at St James's Palace, where Charles was formally proclaimed sovereign.

The king has also received the prime minister, members of the cabinet and opposition leaders at Buckingham Palace for an audience with the monarch.

A period of national mourning will last until the day of the Queen's state funeral on 19 September.

Ahead of the funeral, the new King will visit Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and Ms Truss will accompany him.

Liz Truss introduced members of the cabinet to King Charles at an audience held in Buckingham Palace


A spokesman said: "The prime minister believes it is important to be present for what will be a significant moment of national mourning around the United Kingdom."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Mortgage Rates Edge Lower as Bank of England Base Rate Cut Filters Through Lending Market
U.S. Supermarket Gives Customers Free Groceries for Christmas After Computer Glitch
Air India ‘Finds’ a Plane That Vanished 13 Years Ago
Caviar and Foie Gras? China Is Becoming a Luxury Food Powerhouse
Hong Kong Climbs to Second Globally in 2025 Tourism Rankings Behind Bangkok
From Sunniest Year on Record to Terror Plots and Sports Triumphs: The UK’s Defining Stories of 2025
Greta Thunberg Released on Bail After Arrest at London Pro-Palestinian Demonstration
Banksy Unveils New Winter Mural in London Amid Festive Season Excitement
UK Households Face Rising Financial Strain as Tax Increases Bite and Growth Loses Momentum
UK Government Approves Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedford Poised to Rival Disneyland Paris
UK Gambling Shares Slide as Traders Respond to Steep Tax Rises and Sector Uncertainty
Starmer and Trump Coordinate on Ukraine Peace Efforts in Latest Diplomatic Call
The Pilot Barricaded Himself in the Cockpit and Refused to Take Off: "We Are Not Leaving Until I Receive My Salary"
UK Fashion Label LK Bennett Pursues Accelerated Sale Amid Financial Struggles
U.S. Government Warns UK Over Free Speech in Pro-Life Campaigner Prosecution
Newly Released Files Shed Light on Jeffrey Epstein’s Extensive Links to the United Kingdom
Prince William and Prince George Volunteer Together at UK Homelessness Charity
UK Police Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’ as Authorities Recalibrate Free Speech Enforcement
Scambodia: The World Owes Thailand’s Military a Profound Debt of Gratitude
Women in Partial Nudity — and Bill Clinton in a Dress and Heels: The Images Revealed in the “Epstein Files”
US Envoy Witkoff to Convene Security Advisers from Ukraine, UK, France and Germany in Miami as Peace Efforts Intensify
UK Retailers Report Sharp Pre-Christmas Sales Decline and Weak Outlook, CBI Survey Shows
UK Government Rejects Use of Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Aid for Ukraine
UK Financial Conduct Authority Opens Formal Investigation into WH Smith After Accounting Errors
UK Issues Final Ultimatum to Roman Abramovich Over £2.5bn Chelsea Sale Funds for Ukraine
Rare Pink Fog Sweeps Across Parts of the UK as Met Office Warns of Poor Visibility
UK Police Pledge ‘More Assertive’ Enforcement to Tackle Antisemitism at Protests
UK Police Warn They Will Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’
Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC as Broadcaster Pledges Legal Defence
UK Says U.S. Tech Deal Talks Still Active Despite Washington’s Suspension of Prosperity Pact
UK Mortgage Rules to Give Greater Flexibility to Borrowers With Irregular Incomes
UK Treasury Moves to Position Britain as Leading Global Hub for Crypto Firms
U.S. Freezes £31 Billion Tech Prosperity Deal With Britain Amid Trade Dispute
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Potential UK Return Gains New Momentum Amid Security Review and Royal Dialogue
Zelensky Opens High-Stakes Peace Talks in Berlin with Trump Envoy and European Leaders
Historical Reflections on Press Freedom Emerge Amid Debate Over Trump’s Media Policies
UK Boosts Protection for Jewish Communities After Sydney Hanukkah Attack
UK Government Declines to Comment After ICC Prosecutor Alleges Britain Threatened to Defund Court Over Israel Arrest Warrant
Apple Shutters All Retail Stores in the United Kingdom Under New National COVID-19 Lockdown
US–UK Technology Partnership Strains as Key Trade Disagreements Emerge
UK Police Confirm No Further Action Over Allegation That Andrew Asked Bodyguard to Investigate Virginia Giuffre
Giuffre Family Expresses Deep Disappointment as UK Police Decline New Inquiry Into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Claims
Transatlantic Trade Ambitions Hit a Snag as UK–US Deal Faces Emerging Challenges
Ex-ICC Prosecutor Alleges UK Threatened to Withdraw Funding Over Netanyahu Arrest Warrant Bid
UK Disciplinary Tribunal Clears Carter-Ruck Lawyer of Misconduct in OneCoin Case
‘Pink Ladies’ Emerge as Prominent Face of UK Anti-Immigration Protests
Nigel Farage Says Reform UK Has Become Britain’s Largest Party as Labour Membership Falls Sharply
Google DeepMind and UK Government Launch First Automated AI Lab to Accelerate Scientific Discovery
UK Economy Falters Ahead of Budget as Growth Contracts and Confidence Wanes
Australia Approves Increased Foreign Stake in Strategic Defence Shipbuilder
×