The UK is looking forward to the first coronation in 70 years as Charles III will be crowned king in an elaborate Christian ceremony. The ceremony, which is steeped in solemn ritual, represents over a millennium of history.
Charles III is the first British monarch to be crowned since 1937. The last monarch to be crowned was his grandfather, King George VI. Charles became king after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last September.
The coronation ceremony will also witness the coronation of Camilla, Charles’ second wife, as Queen. Both will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in London.
However, this time the coronation ceremony is different from previous ones as there will be female bishops, minority faith leaders and a more diverse and representative guest list of British society for the historic occasion.
King Charles III, who has advocated environmentalism and combating the evils of climate change, will introduce new customs such as vegan anointing oil and recycled formal wear to mark his dedication to sustainability and biodiversity.
Speaking to news agency AFP, Earl Marshal, Duke of Norfolk Edward Fitzalan-Howard said it was a “proud moment” in British history.
“During the coronation, the King will swear before God and country as head of state to serve our country, uphold our laws, and uphold justice for all,” Edward Fitzalan-Howard was quoted as saying. AFP,
However, not all are happy. Republicans and anti-monarchists have questioned the ceremony itself, saying such events have no place in modern society. The Guardian said in a report that the police warned that such anti-monarchy demonstrations would be less tolerated on the day of the coronation.
Not much can be done about the growing republican sentiment in the 14 Commonwealth countries outside the UK. Jamaica, Belize, Australia and New Zealand have expressed their desire to set aside their identities as Commonwealth of Nations and emerge as republics, even as some of their heads of state are expected to attend on May 6.
“Jamaica is in the hands of Jamaicans. “The time has come to say goodbye,” said Marlene Malahu Forte, the Caribbean country’s minister of legal and constitutional affairs. sky News,
In the UK, even young Britons feel they cannot relate to the phenomenon.
Despite these protests, many people around the world are still interested in watching the coronation, at least on television sets. For a large section of the youth population, the concept of the coronation of a king is alien to them.
The presidents of France and Germany and senior leaders of the European Union will be among the 2,300 guests attending alongside global royalty.
There will be a grand display of jewels, crowns and gold caskets. However, it has angered some Britons as they grapple with the cost-of-living crisis. The fact that the entire event would cost more than $126 million has angered taxpayers.
Buckingham Palace defended, “A national occasion like this, a great state occasion, attracts huge global interest which more than pays for the expense that goes with it.”
UKHospitality, a trade body, said the weekend could generate £350 million for the hospitality industry, but cynics continue to question whether a grand celebration is needed.
The pageant will feature approximately 7,000 military personnel – from cavalrymen to marching bands – rehearsing with meticulous precision to participate in the parade.
Charles and Camilla will travel from Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, then return the same route in the old Gold State Coach after a two-hour service at the Abbey.
At the palace, they will receive a salute from members of the armed forces, then watch a ceremonial fly-past from a balcony with other members of the royal family.
(With inputs from AFP)
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