The monarch attended a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral to recognize individuals who have shown exceptional dedication while working overseas. Charles participated in his inaugural Service of Dedication and Commemoration for the Order of St Michael and St George as King earlier today. This distinguished order acknowledges outstanding service in a foreign nation or in relation to foreign and Commonwealth affairs.
As a chivalrous order, accolades are conferred annually by the King based on the Prime Minister’s counsel. State trumpeters heralded the King’s arrival on the cathedral’s west steps. Greeted outside by the Right Honourable Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley, Charles, wearing a blue cloak, was escorted inside by the Duke of Kent, who serves as the Order’s Grand Master.
During the hour-long service, Charles proceeded through the cathedral accompanied by a choir, His Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, and the Lady Mayor bearing the Pearl Sword, among others. He then positioned himself behind an altar in the dome and solemnly stated, “Let us remember before God, members of the Order lately departed.”
A list of deceased members since the last ceremony was recited by Sir Jonathan Taylor, Gentleman Usher of the Blue Rod. Among those mentioned were British diplomat Sir Crispin Tickell, who passed away at 91 in 2022, and former British ambassador to Germany Christopher Mallaby, who died at 85 in the same year.
As the service concluded, a fanfare sounded, and the congregation stood to sing the national anthem. The procession retraced its steps through the cathedral, with Charles departing around midday. The Order was founded in 1818 by the Prince Regent, later King George IV, to signify the Ionian Islands’ British protection and Malta’s British sovereignty.
Its original aim was to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of individuals in Malta and the Ionian Islands. The Service of Dedication and Commemoration is conventionally held at St Paul’s Cathedral once every four years.
