In celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, the City of London Corporation held a Citizenship Ceremony on 2 December at the Guildhall. The Ceremony was introduced in 2004 as the final step in the process of becoming a British Citizen. This was the first ceremony to be held in the City and 32 applicants, originally from 22 countries, were invited. A cross-section of City life was invited, including Masters of Livery Companies.
After a welcome speech by the Lord Mayor, Mark Rimmer, from the London Borough of Brent, conducted the Citizenship Ceremony, during which applicants declared the allegiance to the Crown and Country. The process was quite moving, and ended with encouragement from the Lord Mayor for newly naturalised citizens to play a full part in civic life. This was followed by tea and biscuits – to set the style! The City’s copy of Magna Carta (1297) was on display. 
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