British Army recruits swear oath of allegiance to new King for first time


For the first time in over 70 years, British Army recruits have sworn their oaths of allegiance to a King.

Known as the Attestation Ceremony, each recruit reads aloud their promise to be loyal to the monarch:

"I swear by almighty God that I will be faithful, and bear true allegiance to his Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors, and that I will as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend his Majesty, his heirs and successors in person, crown and dignity, against all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, his heirs and successors and the generals and officers set over me."

The ceremony held at the Army Training Regiment, Winchester saw 130 recruits swear their allegiance as they embark on their Army careers.

Among the first batch were Recruit Day, aged 18, from Cambridge who is looking forward to training to become a Supply Specialist in the Royal Logistics Corps. Speaking on this very special day for both him and the country he said, “Today means so much, I can protect the new King and serve my country. There is something deep inside willing me to do that.” 

Joining the Army on the same day and another of the first to attest to His Majesty King Charles III was Recruit Mewett, also 18, from Hastings. His ambition is to train to become an Army Dog Handler and he said, “I want to work alongside dogs because it’s personally what I feel attached to – it’s a passion I have to work with animals and people at the same time.”

Both recruits stood proud on the parade square at Sir John Moore Barracks in Winchester, holding a copy of the Bible in their right hands as they recited their oaths with the regiment’s flags fluttering at half-mast in the background.