LONDON: For more than 950 years, Westminster Abbey has been Britain’s coronation church. And there too began King Charles the Third his journey as a sovereign – the 40th monarch to be crowned.
The Order of Service drawn on this long tradition is centred around the theme ‘Called to Serve’ and The King’s solemn vow and commitment to serve God, the country, and the people. The last Coronation was held for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Mix of old and new
In a colourful event that saw a mix of the old and the new, London cheered at the royal pageant. On a scale not seen on the streets of the capital for 70 years, the Coronation Procession made its way from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, a distance of about 1.5 mile. Waving at the enthusiastic crowd, The King and his Queen Consort travelled in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, accompanied by The Sovereign’s Escort of Household Cavalry.
In Westminster Abbey, the Service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby. When he placed St Edward’s Crown on the new King’s anointed head, the clergy, congregation, and choir all cried “God Save The King”. Outside the Abbey, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a six-gun-salvo on Horse Guards Parade, as they boomed in other parts of the country too.
The most sacred part
In what may be said to be the most sacred part of the Coronation Service, The Archbishop of Canterbury anointed His Majesty’s hands, chest and head with holy oil in the Coronation Chair. Regarded as a moment between the Sovereign and God, the Anointing Screen keeps the proceedings away from public eyes, protecting the sanctity of this act.
The King was dressed in symbolic “vestments”, with the Colobium Sidonis, a white linen shift-like tunic; the Supertunica, a full-length, sleeved gold coat; and the Coronation Sword Belt. He sat in the Coronation Chair as items of Regalia were presented, each a visible reminder of his role and his responsibility to God.
The King was presented with the Armills, traditionally referred to as ‘the bracelets of sincerity and wisdom’, by Lord Kamall, the Robe Royal was brought forward by Baroness Merron, and the Stole Royal, presented by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
Ring, Glove, Sceptre
The Orb, symbolising the Christian world, was presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Sovereign’s Ring by Lord Patel. The Coronation Glove was presented by Lord Singh, The Sceptre with Cross, a symbol of power and justice, and the Sceptre with Dove, a symbol of equity and mercy, by the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Archbishop of Wales.
The service was held amid magical renditions from choirs. The music during the Service was directed by Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers, Westminster Abbey. The Choirs of Westminster Abbey and His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, with choristers from Methodist College, Belfast, and Truro Cathedral Choir, and an octet from the Monteverdi Choir, sang.
Coronation Concert
After the formal pomp and ceremony, the royals joined a huge star-studded Coronation concert at Windsor Castle the next day, May7. Performers included the band Take That, legendary singer from the US and the first global ambassador of the Prince’s Trust, Lionel Richie, and ambassador of The British Asian Trust by then-Prince Charles in 2020, Katy Perry, among several other celebrities.
The day before the Coronation, the King and other members of the Royal Family welcomed Heads of State and overseas guests to Buckingham Palace.
As Head of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries, King Charles met Commonwealth leaders at Marlborough House on May 5. India was represented by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar at the royal ceremony.
