The highly anticipated coronation ceremony of King Charles III will take place on May 6, 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Charles III will be the 40th monarch to be crowned at the Abbey.
The first to be crowned at Westminster Abbey was William I of England (commonly known as William the Conqueror) on Christmas Day in 1066. The most recent coronation was that of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953. The Windsor family, reigning over England, is the only royal family in Europe that still conducts coronation ceremonies.
Although by law, Prince Charles (full name: Charles Philip Arthur George) immediately became king upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, the coronation ceremony is the “ritual that marks the official enthronement of a monarch with the powers of a king.” “The coronation will reflect the role of the monarch in today’s world and look to the future while rooted in ancient tradition,” Buckingham Palace stated in a declaration earlier in 2023.
Westminster Abbey – where King Charles III will become the 40th monarch to be crowned.
Five Main Rituals in the Coronation Ceremony
Like every coronation since 1066, the event will be held at Westminster Abbey and conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury – the highest religious figure in the Church of England. Buckingham Palace describes this as “a solemn religious ceremony” that will acknowledge the monarch’s role as both head of state and head of the Church of England.
The ceremony is also expected to address various communities and faiths, in line with the King’s desire to reflect the ethnic and religious diversity of modern England. King Charles III will still swear to be the “Defender of the Faith” as per tradition, but the oath is likely to include additional wording to confirm that the King will uphold the rights of all faiths.
King Charles also wishes for a culturally and professionally diverse audience to witness this historic event, inviting representatives from various charities and the broader volunteer sector.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Germany on March 29 during their first official visit as king. (Photo: Reuters).
Charles’s wife, Queen Camilla, will also be crowned. “The ceremony will witness the coronation of King Charles III alongside the Queen”, according to a statement from the Palace.
While King Charles and the ceremony committee have planned to modernize the event, some elements of the ritual will remain preserved from centuries past. Alastair Bruce, one of the leading experts on the British monarchy and coronations, noted that there are five main stages of the ceremony: recognition, the coronation oath, the anointing, the investiture (including the crowning), and homage.
During the coronation, the King will be asked to respond on whether he will govern the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms with law and justice, and whether he will uphold Christianity in the Kingdom. He will then sit on the throne, holding the sovereign’s sceptre and rod, representing his control over the nation, and the sovereign’s orb, symbolizing the Christian world.
The Coronation Throne, one of the most precious and famous pieces of furniture in the world, is approximately 700 years old.
After being anointed by the Archbishop, blessed and consecrated, the Crown of Saint Edward will be placed on Charles’s head, officially crowning him as King Charles III.
The Coronation Throne is one of the most valuable and renowned pieces of furniture in the world, with a history of approximately 700 years. It is the ancient throne used in coronation ceremonies in England for centuries, including the ascendancies of King Henry VIII, King Charles I, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II.
What Events Will Accompany the Coronation?
The coronation will be broadcast for viewers in the UK and around the world. Previously, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was the first to be televised live.
The King and Queen Camilla will travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee Coach, which was crafted to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s reign and first used in 2014. The interior of the coach features artifacts taken from historical buildings and palaces, topped with a gilded crown.
Traditionally, the most sacred part of the ceremony – when the Archbishop of Canterbury anoints the King on his hands, chest, and head – will be shielded from public view by a canopy. Reports suggest that a transparent canopy is being created so the public can witness this sacred ritual for the first time.
Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation at Westminster Abbey, London, on June 2, 1953.
After the coronation, King Charles and Queen Camilla will parade through the streets of London. Although the route is longer than the journey to Westminster Abbey, it is only one-third of the 7.2 km journey that Queen Elizabeth made 70 years ago, when millions gathered on the streets to watch her.
During the procession, the King and Queen will ride in the 260-year-old Gold State Coach. It has been used in every coronation since King William IV in 1831. The coach is 7 meters long, 3.6 meters high, weighs 4 tons, and requires 8 horses to pull.
The coronation ceremony on Saturday, May 6, 2023 will be the centerpiece of a weekend filled with events. A concert at Windsor Castle and lavish lunches for the English people with family and friends will take place on Sunday. People in England will also participate in local volunteer activities on Monday, which is expected to be a public holiday in the UK.
The 260-year-old Gold State Coach. It has been used in every coronation since King William IV in 1831. The coach is 7 meters long, 3.6 meters high, weighs 4 tons, and requires 8 horses to pull. After the coronation, King Charles and Queen Camilla will parade through the streets of London in this coach.
“The King and Queen hope that the Coronation will provide an opportunity to spend time celebrating with friends, family, and communities across the UK and the Commonwealth,” Buckingham Palace announced in a statement.
