The inauguration in photos and videos

Here’s a visual look at Saturday’s inauguration of Virginia’s 75th governor, Abigail Spanberger.

Former governors

One of Virginia’s traditions is a photo line-up of the outgoing governor, the incoming governor and all the living former governors. Only Charles Robb, who was governor from 1982-86, was absent.

The key ceremony

Another Virginia tradition is the “key ceremony,” where the outgoing governor presents the incoming governor with the key to the Executive Mansion. In recent years, the key has become a key card. Outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin referred to a “mishap” four years ago when Gov. Ralph Northam’s dog chewed the key card before the handover. This year, Youngkin presented Abigail Spanberger with both a key card and a ceremonial key. That’s what she’s reacting to in the first photo above.

The master of ceremonies

Technically, the inauguration is conducted as part of a joint session of the General Assembly that must be called to order and then adjourned with all the usual parliamentary procedure. Presiding over inaugurations is the speaker of the House, currently Don Scott of Portsmouth. The standard protocol is for participants to wear “morning wear,” a formal style of clothing that often includes a top hat for men. Scott went without the top hat, but Adam Spanberger, the new governor’s husband, doffed one.

The soon-to-be officeholders arrive at the Capitol

Here’s Adam Spanberger with his top hat as the ceremonies get underway.

Ceremonies

Video of the oath ceremonies

There is no standard protocol for who swears in whom. Over the years, officeholders have picked the judges who administer the oath, often with symbolism or family connections in mind.

Jay Jones was sworn in by his mother, Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Lyn Simmons. As he was getting in place, she could be heard to ask him: “Are you ready, baby?”

Ghazala Hashmi was sworn in by Cleo Powell, the chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court. The first Muslim woman to be elected to any statewide office in the United States, Hashmi was sworn in on her family Quran and an original version of the U.S. Constitution printed in 1799 on loan from the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond.

Spanberger was sworn in by Bill Mims, a senior justice of the Virginia Supreme Court. A former Republican attorney general and state legislator from Loudoun County, Mims had become friends with Spanberger over the years.

Spanberger becomes Virginia’s 75th governor at 12:33 p.m.

Military salute to the new governor

After a new governor is sworn in, the Virginia National Guard fires off a ceremonial 19-gun salute with cannons on the state Capitol grounds and a military flyover. State police had advised that the loud sounds might activate car alarms and building alarms in downtown Richmond.

The former governor exits

By tradition, Virginia’s outgoing governor exits the ceremony before the inaugural address.

The inaugural address

You can read Cardinal’s coverage of Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s inaugural address or the full text.

Celebrations

Indigenous blessing

Virginia’s Native American tribes traditionally offer a ceremonial blessing for the new governor.

More song

Inaugural parade

For more on the inaugural parade, see the story by Cardinal’s Tad Dickens.

Family reaction

Tuckered out

Getting down to business

The first order of business for new governors is to sign multiple executive orders. Spanberger’s were more substantive than most. For more on those, see this story by Cardinal’s Elizabeth Beyer.

Inaugural ball

The evening concluded with the inaugural ball, where the main musical guest was Charlottesville-based Dave Matthews.