The first ceremony for immigrants granted British citizenship is to be held on Thursday.
Sixteen adults and three children will take part in the event at Brent town hall in north London.
Also there will be Prince Charles and Home Secretary David Blunkett, who said it would be
"a truly memorable day".
Sixteen adults and three children will take part in the event at Brent town hall in north London.
Also there will be Prince Charles and Home Secretary David Blunkett, who said it would be
"a truly memorable day".
The applicants will give an oath of allegiance to the Queen, sing the national anthem and
pledge to respect the rights and freedoms of the UK.
They will also promise to uphold the country's democratic values.
Earlier, Mr Blunkett said: "Britain has a great tradition as a tolerant and welcoming nation.
"I am very pleased to be at the first of many ceremonies which will help bond together our
communities with shared values which allow people to be proud of both their background
and their new home."
I think the ceremony idea is excellent. It puts extra emphasis on becoming a UK citizen and
it makes it feel more important
The ceremony will start with an introduction by the Mayor of Brent, The Rev Peter Lemmon,
followed by a speech from Mr Blunkett.
The applicants will then give their oaths, before being formally welcomed by Prince Charles.
Among those taking part today will be the Sharifi family from Afghanistan who moved to the
UK in the early 1990s.
Husband and wife Fraidon and Palwasha Sharifi, their children Munilla and Hasib and Fraidon's
mother Karima are now living in Kingsbury, north London.
Mrs Sharifi, 26, said: "My kids were born in London and are growing up here, and that's why it's
important for us to become citizens as well."
Indian-born Mriganka Chatterjee, 32, and wife Aparna, 30, who moved to the UK in 1997,
will also take part.
Mr Chatterjee said: "Being a British citizen will make me feel more a part of the community,
the country and the culture.
"The ceremony idea is an excellent one. It puts extra emphasis on becoming a citizen and
makes it feel more important."
All applicants successfully applying for citizenship since 1 January 2004 will now take part in
similar occasions, which cost participants £68 each.
The permanent format of the ceremonies has still to be decided, although it has emerged the
national anthem may not be sung or played at all of them.
Those living in Scotland and Wales will probably get the chance to sing anthems appropriate
to their home locations.
I am sure it will be a truly memorable day - becoming a British citizen is to be celebrated
Until now, people becoming British citizens have sworn an oath of allegiance in front of a solicitor,
before receiving their certificate in the post.
Ceremonies will be held in other towns and cities over the coming year and classes to improve
English and knowledge of UK institutions and the law will also be piloted.
A citizenship handbook containing information about laws, getting information and how to obtain
help in the UK is also being developed.
About 90,000 adult applicants are successful each year in their bid to become British.
pledge to respect the rights and freedoms of the UK.
They will also promise to uphold the country's democratic values.
Earlier, Mr Blunkett said: "Britain has a great tradition as a tolerant and welcoming nation.
"I am very pleased to be at the first of many ceremonies which will help bond together our
communities with shared values which allow people to be proud of both their background
and their new home."
I think the ceremony idea is excellent. It puts extra emphasis on becoming a UK citizen and
it makes it feel more important
The ceremony will start with an introduction by the Mayor of Brent, The Rev Peter Lemmon,
followed by a speech from Mr Blunkett.
The applicants will then give their oaths, before being formally welcomed by Prince Charles.
Among those taking part today will be the Sharifi family from Afghanistan who moved to the
UK in the early 1990s.
Husband and wife Fraidon and Palwasha Sharifi, their children Munilla and Hasib and Fraidon's
mother Karima are now living in Kingsbury, north London.
Mrs Sharifi, 26, said: "My kids were born in London and are growing up here, and that's why it's
important for us to become citizens as well."
Indian-born Mriganka Chatterjee, 32, and wife Aparna, 30, who moved to the UK in 1997,
will also take part.
Mr Chatterjee said: "Being a British citizen will make me feel more a part of the community,
the country and the culture.
"The ceremony idea is an excellent one. It puts extra emphasis on becoming a citizen and
makes it feel more important."
All applicants successfully applying for citizenship since 1 January 2004 will now take part in
similar occasions, which cost participants £68 each.
The permanent format of the ceremonies has still to be decided, although it has emerged the
national anthem may not be sung or played at all of them.
Those living in Scotland and Wales will probably get the chance to sing anthems appropriate
to their home locations.
I am sure it will be a truly memorable day - becoming a British citizen is to be celebrated
Until now, people becoming British citizens have sworn an oath of allegiance in front of a solicitor,
before receiving their certificate in the post.
Ceremonies will be held in other towns and cities over the coming year and classes to improve
English and knowledge of UK institutions and the law will also be piloted.
A citizenship handbook containing information about laws, getting information and how to obtain
help in the UK is also being developed.
About 90,000 adult applicants are successful each year in their bid to become British.
