ADAM Kenneth Compton Wood was officially sworn-in as the Isle of Man's new Lieutenant Governor this morning.
Mr Wood - accompanied by his wife Katie Richardson and 11-year-old daughter Persie - arrived at Castle Rushen shortly after 11am for the ceremony.
Mr Wood and his family greeted crowds of schoolchildren who had gathered in Castletown Square for the event.
The Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band played the royal anthem and Manx national anthem before Mr Wood was led in procession into the Castle grounds.
Lord Bishop Robert Paterson started the swearing-in ceremony with Psalm 67 and The Lord's Prayer. Chief Secretary Will Greenhow read the Royal Warrant to Mr Wood before the administration of the oaths of office and allegiance.
Following this Mr Wood signed the Liber Juramentorum and the First Deemster and the Clerk of the Rolls Deemster David Doyle completed the jurat of the oaths.
Deemster Doyle welcomed Mr Wood and his family to the Island. He said: "I'd like to offer you a very warm Manx welcome. I hope you enjoy your time on this beautiful and historic Island. It is a well governed, prosperous and caring community – a place where there is Freedom to Flourish."
Addressing those in the Court Room, and in his first speech as Lieutenant Governor, Mr Wood said: "I stand here before you all now overcome with a wide range of emotions. Yet amongst these emotions there are three that stand out – humility, excitement and a deep sense of commitment.
"I am humbled to be the first Lieutenant Governor to have been chosen by the Manx authorities on behalf of the people. An important step in the Island's constitutional progression, and a particular honour for me.
"I am excited by the five years that lie ahead for me and for my wife and daughter. I know that here I shall find so much that inspires me, in the Island's culture and history, its walks and its birdlife, and the opportunities for sport."
Following the swearing-in ceremony the Lieutenant Governor briefly met the Island's MHKs and MLCs in the castle grounds before leaving for a reception at Government House.
Photographs by Tessa Hawley and John Gregory
