 Former Deputy to the Governor-General, his Excellency Cyril Erel Melchiles-Charles was officially sworn in as Acting Governor-General at a small ceremony on Thursday. Governor-General of St. Lucia, his Excellency Sir Emanuel Neville Snack, pursuant to section 22, subsection 1A of the Constitution of St. Lucia, had appointed his Excellency-Charles to serve as Deputy to the Governor-General for the period August 4 to 31, 2021. His Excellency-Charles at the ceremony was presented with the Royal Commission by Cabinet Secretary Benjamin Emanuel, after which he took the oath of allegiance before her Ladyship Hon. Dame Janice Pereira, Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. I, Cyril Erel Melchiles-Charles, do swear that I will faithfully bear allegiance to her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors according to law. So help me God. I, Cyril Erel Melchiles-Charles, do swear that I will well and fully serve her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors in the office of Governor-General. So help me God. The newly sworn in Acting Governor-General, his Excellency-Charles, expressing gratitude for the confidence placed in him, pledged to serve with dignity and impartiality. Having accompanied my father at times on many of the marches and meetings that culminated in the catalytic movement, the beginning of the liberation of our people from colonial rule, governed by democracy, it is up to now the constitutional right of every citizen of this country to determine the country's political direction every five years. Mindful, therefore, of the enormous struggles of my forebears to take us to where we are today, I pledge to be loyal to the government and people of St. Lucia and reaffirm my services at all times with fairness and impartiality. Acting Governor-General, his Excellency, Cyril Erel Melchiles-Charles, has had a professional career in the public service spanning some 30 years where he served in various capacities, the longest being in that of tax professional at the inland revenue department for over 25 years. The Acting Governor-General has also been involved in the work and the contribution of the Lions Club in St. Lucia for over 20 years. From the Government Information Service, I am General Norville.