Oath Of Allegiance (United Kingdom)
The Oath of Allegiance (Judicial or Official Oath) is a promise to be loyal to the British monarch, and their heirs and successors, sworn by certain public servants in the United Kingdom, and also by newly naturalised subjects in citizenship ceremonies.
The Oaths Act 1888 (51 & 52 Vict. c.46) set out provisions whereby the oath may be solemnly affirmed rather than sworn to God. The Act was consolidated and repealed by the Oaths Act 1978.
The Victorian promissory oaths of allegiances, are set out in the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 in the following form:
- The original oath of allegiance as set out in the 1868 Oaths Act:
| “ | I, (Insert full name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God. | ” |
- The original oath of office as set out in the 1868 Oaths Act:
| “ | I, (Insert full name), do swear that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Victoria in the office of (Insert office of). So help me God. | ” |
- The original judicial oath as set out in the 1868 Oaths Act:
| “ | I, (Insert full name), do swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria in the office of (Insert judicial office of), and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or illwill. So help me God. | ” |
- The current oath of allegiance is set out from the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 in the following form:
| “ | I, (Insert full name), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God. | ” |
Read more about Oath Of Allegiance (United Kingdom): Oaths To Heirs and Successors, Origins, Office-holders, Privy Counsellor Oath, Parliamentarians, House of Lords, Northern Ireland Assembly, Judges and Magistrates, Police Officers, Clergy, Armed Forces, Scouts and Girl Guides, Citizenship Ceremonies
Famous quotes containing the words oath and/or allegiance:
“On principle I dislike an oath which requires a man to swear he has not done wrong. It rejects the Christian principle of forgiveness on terms of repentance. I think it is enough if the man does no wrong hereafter.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
“And then I stole all courtesy from heaven,
And dressed myself in such humility
That I did pluck allegiance from men’s hearts,
Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths,
Even in the presence of the crowned King.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)