Details of Petr Pavel's inauguration announced

New president Petr Pavel will be sworn in on Thursday March 9 at 2 p.m. by taking the oath of office at a ceremonial meeting of both parliamentary chambers at Prague Castle, the Czech News Agency reports.

The inauguration day will begin at midnight with the lowering of the presidential standard and the closing of Giants' Gate, which leads to the first courtyard of Prague Castle, as a sign of the vacancy of the presidential office. It will be opened again in the morning, when Petr Pavel and the new First Lady arrive at the Castle for a joint lunch with outgoing president Miloš Zeman and his wife. This will be followed by the official inauguration ceremony in Vladislav Hall at 2 p.m.