This year's Tynwald ceremony got underway on time and, despite less than ideal weather, in the dry.

Events this year were presided over by the Princess Royal, HRH Princess Anne.

She arrived at St Johns with the Lieutenant Governor Vice Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks at 10.40 this morning and was greeted by the fanfare, then a flypast by two Hawks from 19 Squadron RAF flight training: (audio clip)

Whilst there were large crowds out to see Her Royal Highness, not everyone is happy with all the extra security and military involvement seen in a Royal Tynwald.

Broadcaster and Manx speaker Dr Brian Stowell said we should never forget it's the national day of the Isle of Man and we should concentrate on local issues.

After the church service, her Royal Highness, politicians, the clergy, deemsters, coroners and local authority members processed to Tynwald Hill for the official ceremony, where Princess Anne was given authority to preside over the ceremony by the Clerk of Tynwald Malachy Cornwall Kelly.

She then directed the court to be fenced in English and Manx.

Laws passed in the last legislative year were promulagated before petitions for redress of grievance were invited to be brought forward:

Princess Anne then drew official proceedings to a close:

There was then a captioning ceremony and a presentation of the Tynwald honour to Harvey Briggs in the Tynwald Chapel.


(Library picture)