Every week Lambeth welcomes new citizens to the borough and to the United Kingdom as full and equal citizens.
At the ceremony, our new citizens make an oath of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen (or an affirmation if they prefer not to swear by God) and a pledge. This means they promise to respect the rights, freedoms, and laws of the UK.
Along with speaking on behalf of the local community, at the end of the ceremony, the Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Lambeth presents those who have made their pledges with their certificate of British citizenship.
Here is what they say…
Oath of allegiance
I, (name), swear by Almighty God that, on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors, according to law.
(or) Affirmation of allegiance
I (name) do solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British Citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law
(all) Pledge
I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfill my duties and obligations as a British citizen.
During the ceremony I celebrate Lambeth’s history, it’s connection with the arts, and the fact the anti-slavery campaigners of the eighteenth century were based in our borough.
We really do have a rich and long history, and I celebrate the fact that on that day, they became part of that history.
Christopher Wellbelove DL 