More than 90 photos of the historic inauguration of Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger
Gov. Abigail Spanberger was sworn in as the 75th governor of Virginia on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2025. Spanberger is the first woman to be elected governor in the state.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger is sworn in during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol Building on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Military jets fly over the Virginia State Capitol during Inauguration Day on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger embraces Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol Building on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to the crowd during her Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, speaks to the crowd during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger sits with her husband, Adam, during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Members of Virginia's 11 Native American tribes perform during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger addresses the crowd during her inauguration speech at the Virginia state Capitol on Saturday. During the speech, she lauded the examples of former Gov. Linwood Holton, the first Republican governor since Reconstruction, who publicly walked his white daughter to racially integrate a Richmond public school, and former Gov. Douglas Wilder, the nation's first elected Black governor, who, on his 95th birthday, sat in a seat of honor as she became Virginia's 75th governor.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger holds her hand over her heart during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to the crowd during her Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger kisses her husband, Adam, during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger stands with her family as a parade goes by during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, center left, and Gov.-Elect Abigail Spanberger, center right, pose for a photograph with former governors of Virginia during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol Building on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. Pictured (from left) are George Allen, Terry McAuliffe, Jim Gilmore, L. Douglas Wilder, Youngkin, Spanberger, Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, Bob McDonnell and Ralph Northam.
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger stands with her daughters Claire and Charlotte before her inauguration at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger greets Gov. Glenn Youngkin before her inauguration at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger embraces Attorney General Jay Jones during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Girl Scouts recited the Pledge of Allegiance during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger looks on as dancers perform a traditional Korean fan dance during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to the crowd during her Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to the crowd during her Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger waves to the crowd during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to the crowd during her Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger waves as a parade goes by during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger salutes during a parade on Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to the crowd during her Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
ADAMS BEAT, a Muslim youth choir, performs “This Land is Your Land” during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger stands with her family as a parade goes by during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to the crowd during her Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
In a tradition carried out in the Old Senate Chamber of the Capitol, Gov. Glenn Youngkin presented Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger with a wooden box, containing a personally inscribed key to the Executive Mansion that he asked her to pass on to her successor in four years.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger waves to the crowd as First Gentleman Adam Spanberger looks on during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger and her daughters look on as a parade goes by during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to the crowd during her Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Former Del. Jay Jones, of Norfolk, was sworn in as the state's first Black attorney general by his mother, Lyn Simmons, chief judge of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on which his father, the late Judge Jerrauld Jones, once also served.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger stands with her family as a parade goes by during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
A person cheers for Gov. Abigail Spanberger during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to the crowd during her Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin hands a key to the Executive Mansion to Gov.-Elect Abigail Spanberger during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger kisses her daughter Catherine after being sworn in during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Former state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, of Chesterfield County, took the oath of office as lieutenant governor from Supreme Court Justice Cleo Powell to become the first Muslim and Indian to hold statewide office in Virginia.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger is sworn in during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to the crowd during her Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger is sworn in during Inauguration Day at the Virginia Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Virginia's Gov. Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin walk down the steps at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Virginia's Gov. Glenn Youngkin shakes hands with Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger prior to the 75th Inauguration Ceremony at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
In the front row (from left), Attorney General Jay Jones; Lt. Governor Ghazala Hashmi with husband Azhar Rafiq; and Gov. Abigail Spanberger with First Gentleman Adam Spanberger stand on stage at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
The Hampton University Concert Choir sings the "Star Spangled Banner" at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
ADAMS BEAT sing "This Land is Your Land" at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Audrey Russian (left) and Renee Hamilton stand by the stage at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Abigail Spanberger hold up her right hand and takes the oath to become Virginia's 75th governor at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks on stage at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder stands and waves to the crowd at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger holds her hands in her lap above an officer at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
An attendee wearing an Abigail Spanberger button watches from the stands at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
People walk on the stage at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
The crowd stand in line next to the statue of George Washington at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers her inaugural speech at the Virginia Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin watches as Abigail Spanberger takes the oath to become Virginia's 75th governor at the Virginia Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks on stage during her inauguration ceremony at the Virginia state Capitol in Richmond on Saturday.
Indigenous people from Virginia's 11 Indian Tribes perform a blessing dance at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Indigenous people from Virginia's 11 Indian Tribes perform a blessing dance at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Virginia Military Institute Corps Cadets walk in formation during the parade at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony at the Capitol in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Police with a sniper rifle on the roof of the Capitol at the 75th Inauguration Ceremony for the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Audience members — including former governors and first ladies Terry and Dorothy McAuliffe, Pamela and Ralph Northam, Tim Kaine and Anne Holton, and Lisa Collis and Mark Warner — react to Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration speech.
Ghazala Hashmi is sworn in as lieutenant governor of Virginia in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Jay Jones is sworn in as the attorney general of Virginia in Richmond on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger walks into her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Attorney General-elect Jay Jones walks into his and Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger's inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi walks into her and Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger's inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Beth Bendheim talks about why she's attending Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Attendees of Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration tear up during a prayer in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Attendees of Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration tear up during a prayer in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Abigail Spanberger is sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor at her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan.17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks at her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Abigail Spanberger is sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor at her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Abigail Spanberger is sworn in as Virginia's 75th governor at her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks at her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks at her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks at her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Representatives of Virginia's Native American tribes perform a blessing of the ground at Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Speaker of the House Don Scott bangs the gavel at Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger's daughter whispers something in her ear at her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
A young audience member smiles and laughs during Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inaugural parade in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Audience members react to Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration speech in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks at her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Audience members react to Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration speech in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
The Virginia Military Institute's Corps of Cadets marches in Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inaugural parade in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
The Virginia Military Institute's Corps of Cadets marches in Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inaugural parade in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Team mascots for Virginia's public universities march in Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inaugural parade in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Ha Sang Korean School's dance team performs in Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inaugural parade in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Ha Sang Korean School's dance team performs in Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inaugural parade in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks at her inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Anita Kozakewicz talks about why she is attending Gov. Abigail Spanberger's inauguration in Richmond, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Two hours and 49 minutes after taking her oath of office Gov. Abigail Spanberger launched her four-year term with ten executive orders.
Two hours and 49 minutes after taking her oath of office Gov. Abigail Spanberger launched her four-year term with ten executive orders.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed bills that will give Virginians a chance to vote on four proposed changes to the state constitution, including one to draw new congressional district maps.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed bills that will give Virginians a chance to vote on four proposed changes to the state constitution, including one to draw new congressional district maps.
The court issued a four-page order on Friday that allows a special election to proceed on April 21, as directed under legislation that Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed last week.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night, marking her arrival as a national party leader.
The removal of three members of Virginia’s parole board on the cusp of Gov. Spanberger’s inauguration has left the agency in gridlock.
