King Charles III Coronation: A Historic and Spectacular Event
On 6 May 2023, the United Kingdom and the
Commonwealth realms witnessed a historic and spectacular event: the coronation
of King Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as king and queen. The ceremony took
place at Westminster Abbey, where 40 monarchs have been crowned since 1066¹. It
was a day of celebration, tradition, and symbolism, but also of challenges and
changes for the new king and the monarchy.
The Ceremony
The coronation ceremony was structured around an
Anglican service of Holy Communion, but it also included some new elements to
reflect the diversity and modernity of the nation and the Commonwealth. For the
first time, a preface was added to the coronation oath to say that the Church
of England "will seek to foster an environment where people of all faiths
and beliefs may live freely"². The epistle from the King James Bible was
read by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Britain's first Hindu leader². A gospel
choir performed a newly composed "Alleluia", and female clergy took
part in the ceremony².
The ceremony also followed the ancient rituals of
anointing, crowning, and receiving the regalia. Charles was anointed with holy
oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury on a specially built platform in front of
the altar¹. He then received the coronation regalia, which consists of the
crown, sceptre, orb, sword, ring, spurs, and robe¹. He was crowned by the
Archbishop of Canterbury with St Edward's Crown, which dates back to the 11th
century and has been used for every coronation since 1661¹. He then took his seat
on King Edward's Chair, which contains the Stone of Scone, a symbol of Scottish
sovereignty¹.
Camilla was crowned in a shorter and simpler
ceremony after Charles. She wore a smaller crown made for Queen Mary in 1911¹.
She also received a sceptre with a cross and an ivory rod with a dove¹.
The ceremony ended with Charles and Camilla
receiving Holy Communion and giving their blessing to the congregation. They
then left Westminster Abbey in a state carriage procession to Buckingham
Palace, where they appeared on the front balcony with other members of the
royal family and waved to the cheering crowds.
The Celebration
The coronation was a national celebration that
involved millions of people across the UK and beyond. More than 2,000 guests
attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, including world leaders,
aristocrats, celebrities, faith representatives, and ordinary citizens². Among
them were U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron,
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, eight current and former British prime
ministers as well as Judi Dench, Emma Thompson and Lionel Richie².
Thousands of people lined up along the route that
Charles and Camilla travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and
back. They waved flags, cheered, and sang patriotic songs. Many had camped
overnight to secure a good spot².
The celebration also extended to other parts of the
UK and the Commonwealth realms. Street parties, volunteering activities,
special church services, and cultural events were held in various towns and
cities. A concert at Windsor Castle on 7 May featured performances by Ed
Sheeran , Adele , Elton John , Coldplay , and other stars³. The concert was
broadcast live on BBC One and streamed online.
Many Commonwealth realms also held celebrations to
mark the coronation. Antigua and Barbuda , Canada , Australia and New Zealand
issued commemorative stamps and coins⁴. Some realms also hosted official
receptions or ceremonies attended by governors-general or other representatives
of the king.
The coronation was not only a celebration but also
a moment of reflection and debate for the new king and the monarchy. Charles
became king at a time when support for the monarchy is waning, especially among
younger people². Some see it as an outdated institution that stands for
privilege and inequality in a country of deepening poverty and fraying social
ties².
Republican protesters gathered outside Westminster
Abbey and Buckingham Palace to voice their opposition to the monarchy. They
chanted "Not my king" and held signs that read "Abolish the
monarchy" or "Charles: unfit to rule".
The coronation also marked a new era for the
monarchy and the nation. Charles became king at a time when the UK and the
world are facing unprecedented challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic,
Brexit, climate change, and social unrest. As king, he will have to balance his
constitutional role as a symbol of national unity and stability with his
personal views and passions.
Charles has been an outspoken advocate for the
environment for over 50 years. He has campaigned for better conservation,
organic farming, and ecological solutions. He has also warned of the dangers of
climate change and called for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and protect biodiversity. He has been praised by environmentalists and experts
for his vision and leadership, but also criticised by some politicians and
media for being too political or radical.
As king, Charles will have to adopt a more neutral
stance on public issues, as expected by the convention of constitutional
monarchy. He will have to refrain from expressing his opinions or influencing
government policies. He will also have to respect the views and wishes of his
subjects, who may not share his environmental concerns or priorities.
However, Charles will not have to give up his
environmental activism completely. He will still be able to use his influence
and platform to raise awareness and inspire action on environmental issues. He
will also be able to support various charities and initiatives that promote
sustainability and conservation. He will also be able to set an example by
living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, such as using bio-fuelled cars or growing
organic produce.
Charles will also have to deal with other changes
that affect the monarchy and its future. He will have to cope with the loss of
his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was the longest-reigning monarch in British
history and a beloved figure around the world. He will have to rebuild trust
and respect for the monarchy after the scandals and controversies that have
tarnished its reputation in recent years. He will also have to prepare his son,
Prince William, for his eventual succession as king.
Charles will face many challenges and opportunities
as king. He will have to adapt to his new role and responsibilities, while
staying true to his values and convictions. He will have to lead the monarchy
into a new era, while preserving its traditions and heritage. He will have to
serve his people and his planet, while fulfilling his destiny.
King Charles III coronation was a historic and spectacular event that celebrated his accession to the throne. It was also a moment of transition and transformation for him and the monarchy. It was a day that marked the end of one reign and the beginning of another.
Source:
(1) Coronation of Charles III and Camilla -
Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_of_Charles_III_and_Camilla.
(2) King Charles III is crowned at Westminster
Abbey | AP News. https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-coronation-westminster-abbey-britain-a4f05b3d7413521c439348684fd7a782.
(3) Your complete guide to the King's coronation -
BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65342840.
(4) King Charles: When is the Coronation and is
there a bank holiday?. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63543019.
(5)10 times King Charles III championed the
environment.
https://www.countryliving.com/uk/news/g42656360/king-charles-sustainable/.
(6) Prince Charles was an environment radical. What
happens now he’s King ....
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment-and-conservation/2022/09/prince-charles-was-an-environment-radical-what-happens-now-hes-king.
(7) King Charles’s ‘dotty’ environmental views are
now mainstream. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/sep/22/king-charles-dotty-environmental-views-are-now-mainstream.
(8) This is why Charles III will be known as the
1st climate king, experts ....
https://abcnews.go.com/International/charles-iii-1st-climate-king-experts/story?id=89749798.
(9) Will King Charles III have to give up his
climate activism?.
https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/09/12/can-a-king-be-a-climate-campaigner-what-britains-new-monarch-means-for-the-environment.
More than 18 million people watch King Charles III's Coronation
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