In a personal account, the author shares his journey toward obtaining British citizenship, a decision he made about twelve years ago amidst considerable stress and uncertainty. He recalls the anxiety he faced knowing that acquiring British citizenship would mean renouncing his Czech citizenship, as dual nationality was not permitted at the time. This dilemma added significant emotional weight to the bureaucratic challenges he was navigating.

The naturalization process, according to the author, was multifaceted and fraught with obstacles, which he humorously likens to selling a kidney on the black market to afford the associated fees. He criticizes the Home Office, equating its cost of naturalization to that of a used luxury car or renting a grand venue like the Buckingham Palace for a week. This comparison underscores the perceived absurdity and prohibitive nature of the fees required for a person seeking to become a British citizen.

In concluding his reflection, the author expresses disappointment about not receiving a symbolic gesture such as a gold sword engraved with St. George during the citizenship ceremony, reflecting on the emotional significance such artifacts could hold in validating one's new identity. This narrative not only sheds light on individual experiences with immigration processes but also implicitly critiques the perceived bureaucratic inefficiencies and high costs associated with obtaining citizenship in the UK.