A Canadian citizenship ceremony was delayed after officials were confused whom to swear allegiance to following Queen Elizabeth II's death

• A group of new Canadian citizens may have been the first to swear allegiance to King Charles III.
• Their virtual citizenship ceremony was delayed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.

A Canadian citizenship ceremony was delayed on Thursday as officials figured out whom to swear allegiance to after Queen Elizabeth II's death, according to a journalist who attended.

On Thursday afternoon, the Queen "died peacefully at Balmoral," the Buckingham Palace announced, ending her unprecedented 70-year reign. She was 96 years old. Her son automatically ascended to the throne with her death and will be known as King Charles III.

The virtual Canadian citizenship ceremony, which had 141 attendees, was halted as officials talked to each person individually, investigative journalist Roberto Rocha, who attended the ceremony with a friend, tweeted.

The presiding judge mentioned Queen Elizabeth II's death after the ceremony began, adding that the new monarch is now King Charles III.

"It was a quick and sober acknowledgment, extremely Canadian," Rocha tweeted. "He's more excited about welcoming the new citizens to the Canadian family."

When the participants took the citizenship oath, Rocha said they swore allegiance to "Sa majesté le roi Charles III, roi du Canada" — His Majesty King Charles III, King of Canada.

The new Canadian citizens may have been the first to swear allegiance to the new monarch.

Rocha added that the ceremony ended with the statement: "The Queen is dead, long live the King!"