Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle was the first to do so. He was followed by the Father of the House, the longest-serving male MP, the Conservative Sir Peter Bottomley. Next came the Mother of the House, Labour’s longest-serving female MP, Harriet Harman. Cabinet ministers to meet new King – live updates New Prime Minister Liz Truss, who only won the keys to Number 10 on Tuesday, followed them. He said: “I swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and show true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God.” Next up were members of the Conservative whips’ office, Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and Westminster SNP leader Ian Blackford. Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts was sworn in in English and Welsh. This was followed by former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May and current Deputy Prime Minister Therese Coffey. At the same time, senior members of the House of Lords, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend Justin Welby, also took the oath of allegiance to the King. Sir Lindsay said “time constraints” meant only certain MPs could be sworn in or confirmed on Saturday, but that further time to do so would be made available later. Every MP will be able to swear in or confirm the king when the commons return after the period of national mourning – but they are not required to. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:42 The Accession Council declares a new King It is only the sixth time that the commons have sat on a Saturday since the Second World War. The other times were: • September 2, 1939 – for the outbreak of World War II • July 30, 1949 – on the summer adjournment debates • November 3, 1956 – to discuss the Suez Crisis • 3 April 1982 – to discuss the invasion of the Falkland Islands • 19 October 2019 – to discuss Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords also met from midday on Friday to allow MPs and their peers to pay their respects to the Queen following her death. The House of Commons was a sea of black as MPs observed a minute’s silence before Ms Truss led Friday’s tributes, saying the Queen was “one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known”. He added: “As we meet today, we remember the pledge she made on her 21st birthday to devote her life to service. The whole House will agree, never has a promise been so fully fulfilled.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:26 Three MPs pay their respects to the Queen Speaking for the first time since returning to the Conservative backbenches earlier in the week, Boris Johnson said: “The fact that today we can say with such confidence, God save the King is a tribute to him, but over all, to Elizabeth the Great who worked so hard for the good of her country, not only now, but for generations to come. “That is why we mourn her so deeply. And it is in the depths of our grief that we understand why we loved her so much.” Sir Keir added: “The loss of our Queen robs this country of its anchor point, its greatest comfort at precisely the time when we need these things most. While former prime minister Mrs May said the Queen was “the most remarkable person I have ever met”. The event was also full of laughter and fond memories of the queen who ruled for more than 70 years. The Parliamentary tributes followed an outpouring of grief from across the political spectrum as the world digested the news of the Queen’s death aged 96. MPs will continue to pay tribute to the Queen this afternoon.
