King Charles III crowned in historic ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey
King Charles III has been crowned in Britain’s biggest ceremonial event for seven decades, a sumptuous display of pageantry dating back 1,000 years.
In front of a congregation of about 100 world leaders and a television audience of millions, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, slowly placed the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown on Charles’ head as he sat upon a 14th-century throne in Westminster Abbey.
The historic and solemn event dates back to the time of the 74-year-old’s predecessor William the Conqueror in 1066.
Charles’ second wife Camilla, 75, was also crowned Queen during the two-hour ceremony, which while rooted in history, is also an attempt to present a forward-looking monarchy, with those involved in the service reflecting a more diverse Britain and leaders from all faiths.
For a nation struggling to find its way in the political maelstrom after its exit from the European Union and maintain its standing in a new world order, its supporters say the royal family provides an international draw, a vital diplomatic tool and a means of staying on the world stage.
The coronation takes place amid a cost of living crisis and public scepticism, particularly among the young, about the role and relevance of the monarchy.
While Saturday’s event was on a smaller scale than that staged for Queen Elizabeth in 1953, it still sought to be spectacular, featuring an array of historical regalia from golden orbs and bejewelled swords to a sceptre holding the world’s largest colourless cut diamond.
The event was estimated to cost around $188 million.
Charles automatically succeeded his mother as king on her death last September, and the coronation is not essential but regarded as a means to legitimise the monarch in a public way.
Tens of thousands crammed London’s streets for procession
The King and Queen left Buckingham Palace for the abbey in the modern, black Diamond State Jubilee Coach, which was built in a workshop in Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee.
Hundreds of soldiers in scarlet uniforms and black bearskin hats lined the route along The Mall, the grand boulevard to Buckingham Palace. Tens of thousands ignored the light rain to mass in a crowd
more than 20 deep in some places to watch what some saw as a moment of history.
“The split second glance of seeing the king is really important but I think the whole day as well … the idea of the nation coming together. You very much feel the pride in the nation,” said Mark Strasshine after the royal coach went by.
Much of the ceremony featured elements that Charles’ forebears right back to King Edgar in 973 would recognise, officials said. Handel’s coronation anthem ‘Zadok The Priest’ was sung as it has at every coronation since 1727.
But there were new elements, including an anthem composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, famed for his West End and Broadway theatre shows, and a gospel choir.
A Christian service, there was an “unprecedented” greeting from faith leaders and Charles’s grandson Prince George and the grandchildren of Camilla acted as pages.
However, there was no formal role for either Charles’ younger son Prince Harry, after his high-profile falling out with his family, or his brother Prince Andrew, who was forced to quit royal duties because of his friendship with late US financier Jeffrey Epstein. They sat in the third row behind other working members of the royal family.
King Charles swore oaths to govern justly and uphold the Church of England — of which he is the titular head — before the most sacred part of the ceremony when he was anointed on his hands, head and breast by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby with holy oil consecrated in Jerusalem.
After Charles was presented with symbolic regalia, Archbishop Welby placed the St Edward’s Crown on his head and the congregation cried ‘God save the King’.
His eldest son and heir Prince William, 40, payed homage, kneeling before his father and pledging his loyalty as “your liege man of life and limb”.
However, that has caused controversy, with Republic calling it offensive, forcing Archbishop Welby to clarify it is an invitation not a command.
After the service, Charles and Camilla departed in the four-tonne Gold State Coach that was built for George III, the last king of Britain’s American colonies, riding back to Buckingham Palace in a one-mile (1.6km) procession of 4,000 military personnel from 39 nations.
After returning to Buckingham Palace, the royals will make a traditional appearance on the balcony, with a fly-past by military aircraft.
Celebrations will continue on Sunday with nationwide street parties and a concert at the king’s Windsor Castle home, while volunteering projects will take place on Monday.
“When you see everyone dressed up and taking part it is just fantastic. It makes you so proud,” said teacher Andy Mitchell, 63, who left his house in the early hours to get into London.
“My big concern is that younger people are losing interest in all of this and it won’t be the same in the future.”
How did Australia mark the coronation?
A decision was made not to light up the sails of the Sydney Opera House to mark the event, which a spokesperson for the state government of New South Wales said on Saturday was a cost-saving measure.
The role of the monarchy is controversial in Australia; 55 per cent of voters opposed the 1999 referendum on becoming a republic, while more recent polls have shown varying levels of support.
Many public buildings and monuments, including Parliament House in the capital Canberra, were illuminated in royal purple on Saturday night to mark the coronation.
“The New South Wales Government believe it has struck the right balance in terms of meeting community expectations on commemorating the occasion while being mindful of public expense,” the government spokesperson said.
On Sunday, celebrations at Parliament House are set to include Australian military personnel firing off a 21-gun salute, and an Australian air force fly-past.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in London for the coronation, has said he will take the oath of allegiance to King Charles at the ceremony, despite being a republican.
“I want to see an Australian as Australia’s head of state … That doesn’t mean that you can not have respect for the institution, which is the system of government that we have”, Mr Albanese told state broadcaster ABC on Friday.
In addition to Australia, King Charles is head of state in New Zealand and 12 other Commonwealth realms outside the United Kingdom, although the role is largely ceremonial.
Source: SBS News and AFP
