What is a coronation and why does it matter?
A coronation is both the symbolic religious rite that crowns a sovereign and the physical act of laying a crown on the head of King Charles. It formally establishes the monarch’s function as the head of the Church of England and marks the transfer of their title and powers. A coronation is not required for the monarch to become King, as Charles inherited the throne after Queen Elizabeth II died. It is, nevertheless, a historic and somber occasion that commemorates the monarchy’s continuance and relationship with the people.
How will the coronation ceremony take place?
The coronation ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The Archbishop of Canterbury will preside over it, and it is expected to be far shorter than Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, which lasted three hours. The ritual will consist of six fundamental stages: recognition, oath, anointing, investiture, enthronement, and homage.
The recognition: The King is presented to the people
The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will arrive at Buckingham Palace in procession. A senior cleric will then bring the King to each corner of the Abbey, asking, “Sirs, I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King.” So, all of you who have come this day to pay your respects and serve, are you willing to do the same?” “God save King Charles!” will be the people’s response.
The oath: The King swears to uphold the law and the Church
After that, the King will take an oath to protect the law and the Church of England. He will also commit to governing by “the statutes agreed upon in Parliament” as well as “the laws and customs of the same.” He will also express his “trust and confidence” in “Almighty God’s loving providence.”
The anointing: The King is blessed with holy oil
The Archbishop of Canterbury will then anoint the King with holy oil. The oil will be put into a golden spoon from a golden ampulla (a flask) and wiped on his hands, breast, and head. The anointing is considered the most important aspect of the rite because it represents the King being chosen by God and receiving his blessing.
The investiture: The King receives the regalia and the crown
The King will next be presented with different regalia (royal insignia), including a ring, a sword, a scepter, and an orb. He will also be dressed in several clothes, including a columbium tendon (white tunic), a dalmatic (purple robe), and a supertonic (gold cloak). Finally, he will be crowned with the 17th-century St Edward’s Crown. The crown weighs about 5 pounds and is made of solid gold with 444 stones. “The crown was commissioned from the Royal Goldsmith, Robert Vyner, in 1661,” according to a statement from Buckingham Palace.
The enthronement: The King is seated on the throne
The King will then be carried up by numerous peers (nobles) and seated on King Edward’s Chair, a throne. He will then receive homage (loyalty) from various church and state representatives, including bishops, archbishops, dukes, and earls. They will kneel in front of him and touch his crown or hand, saying, “I do become your liege man of life and limb and earthly worship; and faith and truth I will bear unto you to live and die against all manner of folk.” So, God, help me.”
The homage: The King receives the loyalty of his subjects
The King will get acclamation from his subjects after earning tribute from his peers. He will leave his seat and proceed to Abbey’s west door, where he will appear to the public. He will then return to the throne and be blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The ceremony will then conclude with the national anthem being sung.
How will King Charles’s coronation differ from Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation?
The coronation of King Charles will be “rooted in long-standing traditions,” but it will also “reflect the monarch’s role today and look to the future.” It will differ from Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in the following ways:
Shorter and smaller in scale
The coronation event is projected to be substantially shorter than Queen Elizabeth II’s three-hour coronation in 1953. The coronation procession will likewise be relatively modest. The procession of Queen Elizabeth included 16,000 participants and took 45 minutes to pass any stationary point on the 7km (4.3 miles) route. This time, the King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will go to Westminster Abbey in the King’s procession and then return to Buckingham Palace in a wider coronation procession, where other members of the Royal Family will join them. They will go 1.3 miles less than Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.
More diverse and inclusive in religion
The coronation will involve a broader spectrum of religions than Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, which was solely Anglican. According to the palace, “the service will reflect the diversity of religious beliefs and traditions in modern Britain.” Other Christian denominations, as well as other faiths such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, are likely to participate in some fashion.
More modest in procession
The coronation procession will also be more modest than Queen Elizabeth II’s, which included carriages, horses, and military bands. According to the palace, “the procession will be designed to minimize disruption and inconvenience to the public.” It is probable that the King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will travel by automobile rather than carriage for some of the distance.
What else is happening during the coronation weekend?
Across the United Kingdom, the coronation weekend will be a time of celebration and communal solidarity. The following events are scheduled for the weekend:
A concert and light show involving international stars will occur at Windsor Castle.
On Sunday, May 7, a performance including “musical icons and contemporary stars” will be held at Windsor Castle. It will be televised on the BBC and feature “dancers from around the world.” It will also include a “coronation choir” comprising amateur choirs from the National Health Service, refugee choruses, deaf-signing singers, and LGBT singing groups. Following the event, a stunning light show will illuminate Windsor Castle with visuals and colors inspired by the coronation.
Coronation Big Lunch street parties across the UK
As part of the Coronation Big Lunch program, people are also urged to throw street parties on Sunday, May 7. The Big Lunch is a project that encourages neighbors to get together and share food and companionship. According to the palace, “The Big Lunch aims to bring communities together in a spirit of fun and celebration.” The Big Lunch website allows people to apply for free street party supplies.
An extra bank holiday and a Big Help Out volunteering initiative
On Monday, May 8, there will be an additional bank holiday in the United Kingdom. As part of the Big Help Out program, people are encouraged to use this day to get engaged in volunteering projects in their local community. According to the palace, “The Big Help Out aims to inspire people to make a positive difference in their communities by volunteering their time and skills to support local causes.” The Big Help Out website has further information about volunteer possibilities.
Conclusion: A royal event not to be missed
The crowning of King Charles III on May 6 will be a historic and somber occasion commemorating the monarchy’s continuity and connection to the people. It will also provide an opportunity for people from all around the UK to participate in the celebrations and demonstrate their community spirit. It will be a royal event not to be missed, whether you watch it on TV or attend one of the festivities in person.
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