After decades spent as the Prince of Wales, King Charles III was finally crowned king in a ceremony steeped in tradition and history. The coronation is a time honored part of British culture, which, in this case, also marks the beginning of a new era for the country, following Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 year long reign.
The ceremony took place on May 6 in Westminster Abbey which has served as the coronation site of British monarchs for centuries. The church was packed full with more than 2,000 people, including members of the royal family, government officials, other dignitaries, and even some celebrities. An additional tens of thousands of people lined the streets to watch the procession, and over 20 million viewers from the UK watched the ceremony on television.
As part of the ceremony, King Charles III was anointed with holy oil and presented items of Regalia; the spurs, the sword, the Armills, etc. Following this, the archbishop of Canterbury placed St. Edward’s Crown upon Charles III’s head. King Charles took a solemn oath to uphold the laws and customs of the country and to govern with wisdom and justice. Soon after, the king’s wife Camilla was also anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop and crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown.
After the Coronation Service, the new King and Queen left Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach for Buckingham Palace. There, King Charles, joined by fifteen other members of the royal family, gathered on the palace balcony. Despite the poor weather, the crowds remained undisturbed by the rain as the Royal Air Force did their flypast. The royal family waved goodbye to the crowds and retreated into Buckingham Palace as they prepared for the following day of continued celebration and musical performances.
The second day of the coronation wrapped up with a spectacular concert on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The concert was fit for a king with performers from all over the world, including famous singers like Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and the British band Take That.
The jam-packed days of coronation and celebrations have left many in the UK feeling optimistic of the Commonwealth’s new leadership. In many ways, this coronation marks a turning point for the monarchy and the country as a whole. It is a moment of continuity, as the traditions of the past are upheld and celebrated, but it is also a moment of change, as a new king takes the throne, beginning a new era for the country. It is a moment that will be remembered for years to come and that will shape the course of history.
Bibliography:
Said-Moorhouse, Lauren, and Lianne Kolirin. “Dancing Royals, ‘the Muppets’ and Tom Cruise: The Best Moments from the Coronation Concert.” CNN, 8 May 2023, edition.cnn.com/2023/05/08/entertainment/coronation-concert-windsor-scli-intl-cmd-gbr-ckc/index.html.
Wilkinson, Chiara. “Here’s the Complete Timetable for the King’s Coronation.” Time Out United Kingdom, 7 May 2023, www.timeout.com/uk/news/heres-the-full-schedule-for-king-charless-coronation-050423.
“King Charles’s Portrait Unveiled as Prince Louis Pictured at First Royal Engagement.” The Independent, 9 May 2023, www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/coronation-met-king-charles-portrait-grim-reaper-latest-b2335375.html. Picheta, Rob, and Hafsa Khalil. “The Lady in Blue, Vanishing Princes and the Crowning Event: Key Moments from the Coronation.” CNN, 7 May 2023, edition.cnn.com/2023/05/06/uk/coronation-king-charles-key-moments-ckc-gbr-intl-scli/index.html.