I didn’t expect to hear the Chariots of Fire theme song at my British citizenship ceremony. In fact, I didn’t expect to hear the James Bond theme song either. But then again, I didn’t really know what to expect.

British Citizenship Ceremony

British Citizenship Ceremony

Standing in the queue with two friends that had generously given up their mornings to cheer me on (is that the right term for when someone gets citizenship?), I can’t help but wonder about the music.

Between it and the slideshow detailing random statistics about the local council, the atmosphere in the historic room with the long half-moon benches in Camden Town Hall feels a bit surreal.

British Citizenship Ceremony at Camden Town Hall

I work my way to the front, following my fellow new citizens in handing over my country-of-origin passport and letter of acceptance for British citizenship.

A woman checks my name off a list, sends me and my friends to get our photo taken, then points me to a section of the small auditorium while my friends head upstairs to the viewing gallery.

Being a British Citizen Envelope

UK Citizenship Ceremony

For the next 20 minutes, I watch the slideshow and listen to more random music while studying a small sheet of paper with the words to my affirmation of allegiance to the Queen on it.

Finally the woman that checked my name off the list takes the floor, welcomes everyone to the British citizenship ceremony, and tells us that our group of 50-odd people hails from 25 countries. She then asks us all to stand for the entrance of the former mayor of Camden.

Affirmation of Allegiance to the Queen

The former mayor gives a speech, which is mostly about the council. If I didn’t know any better, I would think that I have just been granted citizenship of a small wedge of the British capital as opposed to the whole country.

But I am reassured when I am asked to stand and state my full name, then led in a swearing of my allegiance in unison with the rest of the group.

Afterwards we listen to the national anthem before being called up one by one to receive our certificates and pose for a photo with the former mayor in front of a portrait of the Queen.

British Citizenship Ceremony at Camden Town Hall

The only problem is that my name isn’t called. I wait patiently while the other new British citizens take their turns in the spotlight, slowly letting fear creep in.

Did something happen? Did they decide to rescind my citizenship in the last half hour? As a natural worrier, every possible calamity passes through my mind.

Flowers for Getting British Citizenship

Then, with three names left to call, I finally hear it. I practically tackle the former mayor to get my handshake, collect my certificate, and pose for my photo, afraid that they might change their minds before the official document is irretrievably in my hands.

After the last name is called, the hour-long British citizenship ceremony ends and I meet my friends in the foyer to celebrate. They have brought flowers and British flags, and we take turns posing for photos with the portrait of the Queen.

Getting British Citizenship

Celebrating British Citizenship

Outside is a small buffet with tea and snacks. It is a nice gesture, although given how much money I have spent over the years on visas, Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, and citizenship, a small part of me feels I deserve a bottomless champagne brunch with all-you-can-eat lobster.

I’m pretty sure that’s not in the cards, though.

Red Tulips and a British Flag

Getting a British Passport

What is in the cards is my final step to becoming British: a passport. Now that the official British citizenship ceremony is done, I am eligible for a maroon passport to match my blue one.

But it can take up to six weeks to process, and I have to send in my American passport while I wait. Finding six weeks when I’m not traveling could be a challenge, but I think I’m up to the task. Cue Chariots of Fire theme song.

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British Citizenship Ceremony

44 Comments on Lady’s British Citizenship Ceremony

  5. What an amazing ceremony! I didn’t know it would be even nearly as patriotic as that. How lovely of your friends to come along and support you! Officially welcome to being a British Citizen!

    Katie <3

    Reply

  7. I teared up a little bit at this. Congratulations to you! I have no doubt that it was all worth it!

    Reply

  8. Congratulations! and thank you for the story!
    I haven’t heard all the details of the Ceremony before. So it was interesting to hear from the “first hands”.
    Beautiful portrait, by the way.

    Reply

  9. Congratulations!

    I rediscovered your blog recently and it’s been wonderful catching up. (I think I missed you transitioning from Blogspot or whichever platform you used before.) I’m just curious—do you have to renounce your US citizenship, or will you keep both citizenships and passports? Did you ever write about your thought process leading up to taking on a new citizenship?

    Reply

    • Thanks Anna. Deciding whether to get citizenship was never a question for me since staying in the UK has been such a difficult process. I can keep my US citizenship, so it works out really well.

      Reply

  16. Congratulations! I’m also an American who’s just received British citizenship (last week!) – my ceremony isn’t until April at Islington Town Hall, and it was really interesting to read about what actually goes on in one. The only part I’m not looking forward to is swearing allegiance to the Queen…I’m still trying to figure out if there’s a way I can do that without perjuring myself! The set-up at the town hall looks very nice, I’m especially pleased to hear there may be tea. 😉

    Reply

  18. Welcome! As I always say to people who hale from far away, “did you come here for our food or our weather?”

    Reply

  19. Congratulations! Going through all the process is a lot to take in but it’s all worth it. I still have to go through mine.

    Reply

  21. I think it’s wonderful that there’s actually a ceremony. When I was given my Swiss one it was just… here’s your paper. Bye.

    Reply

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