A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EVENT
It was a once in a lifetime event. After over 40 years living in the U.K. Pierrette was able to obtain British citizenship and keep her own Luxembourg nationality thanks to a fairly recent law which allows dual nationality for Luxembourg and the U.K.. An understanding which came very late between Australia and France.
I had wanted to do that when I took out French nationality but as down under was not in the good books of the French all those years ago, I had to renounce my Australian nationality. Today I could have both, but frankly there is no need to as I will not be returning to Ozland to live and the Australian passport is not quite as flexible as our French. In any case, your roots are always with you. The last thing I would deny is that I was born in Australia. The second I open my mouth in French I usually get « oh you’re American » which makes my hair stand up on end.
Pierrette has a lovely lilting English. A low voice which rarely shouts or shows signs of impatience or being cross. When she told me - not so long ago - that she would try to take out British citizenship, I was very touched. When she told me that there were pages and pages of questions to answer on the English history, culture, customs - you name it - I gasped. A few questions were read out to me. I would never have become a Brit. Fortunately once past a certain age this test is no longer required. If it was necessary in France I know that the Filipino who helps me in the house and has been living in Paris for 8 years would fail the test miserably. Virtually no French at all and as to Paris and history……..?
Once the date was set, I booked my crossing in the following minutes. It was cold when I arrived but at least the sun was attempting to come through. We were off to the County Council office, Shire Hall on Castle Hill in Cambridge.
The official Council chamber for the ceremony was not « grandiose » as they are in Paris in the local town halls but there was something ver nice and warm about it.
The Master of Ceremonies came in and fortunately put an end to the Musac (Evita!!!). He then told us how the ceremony would be conducted. There were confirming new citizens and affirming who did not necessarily belong to a religious group or probably did not believe at all. I might add there were more on that side of the room than on the « believing » side. His explanations were good, clear and he certainly put people at ease
I already had a lump in my throat and looking at Borgy next to me, I thought he too was very moved. The only sentence which was announced individually was the full name « I Pierrette…… » and then in unison, each group repeated the Master of Ceremony’s small speech - allegiance, fidelity, etc to the Queen and to the UK. « Land of Hope and Glory » was being quietly played in the background and by now, tears where unashamedly trickling down my cheeks.
Each new citizen shook hands with the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridge (in uniform and who represented the Queen) and Councilor Reynolds, Chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council who handed each one their Certificate of naturalization as a British Citizen . Official photos were then taken and Pierrette was now « Mis Brit. »
We sang the English National Anthem , all together, and it was nearly over. The English afternoon tea awaited us (well tea and biscuits). The atmosphere was warm and happy.
Indians, Pakistanis, Arabs, - so many different nationalities. Would you believe that in this County alone, these ceremonies are carried out once a week and up to an estimated 30 new citizens each time. I don’t know how it works in France today but that is a lot of people who becomes British. All I got was what we call a « Livret de Famille » which records the family history - births, marriage, divorce of all direct related family members. But we do - as most European countries do - have an identity card and a passport. The English do not have identity cards so traveling if a visa is needed is not so easy.
Pierrette was glowing. So were we…..and of course, you can imagine that we celebrated in the evening. There was a little exercise as we climbed the Castle Hill to look over Cambridge…. The wind was blowing - I felt like shouting to the wind « Pierrette’s a Brit….. »
I had wanted to do that when I took out French nationality but as down under was not in the good books of the French all those years ago, I had to renounce my Australian nationality. Today I could have both, but frankly there is no need to as I will not be returning to Ozland to live and the Australian passport is not quite as flexible as our French. In any case, your roots are always with you. The last thing I would deny is that I was born in Australia. The second I open my mouth in French I usually get « oh you’re American » which makes my hair stand up on end.
Pierrette has a lovely lilting English. A low voice which rarely shouts or shows signs of impatience or being cross. When she told me - not so long ago - that she would try to take out British citizenship, I was very touched. When she told me that there were pages and pages of questions to answer on the English history, culture, customs - you name it - I gasped. A few questions were read out to me. I would never have become a Brit. Fortunately once past a certain age this test is no longer required. If it was necessary in France I know that the Filipino who helps me in the house and has been living in Paris for 8 years would fail the test miserably. Virtually no French at all and as to Paris and history……..?
Once the date was set, I booked my crossing in the following minutes. It was cold when I arrived but at least the sun was attempting to come through. We were off to the County Council office, Shire Hall on Castle Hill in Cambridge.
 |
| The Shire Hall |
The official Council chamber for the ceremony was not « grandiose » as they are in Paris in the local town halls but there was something ver nice and warm about it.
 |
| Looking at the podium |
 |
| Waiting to begin |
The Master of Ceremonies came in and fortunately put an end to the Musac (Evita!!!). He then told us how the ceremony would be conducted. There were confirming new citizens and affirming who did not necessarily belong to a religious group or probably did not believe at all. I might add there were more on that side of the room than on the « believing » side. His explanations were good, clear and he certainly put people at ease
 |
| About to begin |
 |
| Not the official photo of course |
Each new citizen shook hands with the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridge (in uniform and who represented the Queen) and Councilor Reynolds, Chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council who handed each one their Certificate of naturalization as a British Citizen . Official photos were then taken and Pierrette was now « Mis Brit. »
 |
| The official photo is taken in the room |
 |
| and next to the photo of the Queen |
We sang the English National Anthem , all together, and it was nearly over. The English afternoon tea awaited us (well tea and biscuits). The atmosphere was warm and happy.
 |
| Family Photo |
 |
| and again ...... |
Indians, Pakistanis, Arabs, - so many different nationalities. Would you believe that in this County alone, these ceremonies are carried out once a week and up to an estimated 30 new citizens each time. I don’t know how it works in France today but that is a lot of people who becomes British. All I got was what we call a « Livret de Famille » which records the family history - births, marriage, divorce of all direct related family members. But we do - as most European countries do - have an identity card and a passport. The English do not have identity cards so traveling if a visa is needed is not so easy.
Pierrette was glowing. So were we…..and of course, you can imagine that we celebrated in the evening. There was a little exercise as we climbed the Castle Hill to look over Cambridge…. The wind was blowing - I felt like shouting to the wind « Pierrette’s a Brit….. »
 |
| Overlooking Cambridge from the top of the hill |
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| And here is Miss Brit...... |
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