London:
From coronation-themed biscuits to King Charles tea to giant pieces of art in the streets, the royal event of King Charles the Third’s coronation will be taking over Britain over the weekend.
The ceremony, which is expected to be watched live by millions, will see leaders of many faiths leading the procession. As part of a number of firsts during King Charles’s coronation on Saturday, the presence of multiple faiths at the ceremony is being welcomed by faith leaders.
Representatives from Hindu to Sikh and Muslim communities will all play their part in the coronation ceremony. Sunak, the British Prime Minister and a practicing Hindu sage, will also make history by reading from the Bible as the head of the UK government.
Vishakha Dasi, president of the Hare Krishna Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple in the UK, who attended the ceremony, told NDTV, “It is wonderful that our ethos will be celebrated at the time of the coronation and part of the king’s commitment to create harmony between different communities.” Is. “
Various groups will also play a role in the ceremony. Bhagwan Inderjit Singh, representing the Sikh community, said, “I am expected to present the coronation glove, also participate in a procession of faith leaders through the abbey and then at the end I will join other faith leaders to deliver some message.” We hope to read together and wish for their future.”
Women clergy will also take on roles which is unusual. and the people would be invited to take an oath of allegiance to the king. The actual coronation service inside Grand Westminster Abbey will be a 1,000-year-old Christian service.
The coronation is taking place in Britain after 70 years and this is because Queen Elizabeth II ruled for 7 decades. The celebrations are expected to be contemporary, inclusive and very diverse – much like London, the country’s capital city.
However, the coronation is taking place at a time when Britain is grappling with a cost-of-living crisis. The ceremony and related activities are expected to cost the state exchequer around £80 million.
“The Royal Family is fully aware of the cost of living crisis and of course there is a huge cost to this event. But I want to focus on the other side of the balance sheet – the benefit of this event to the country A huge economic benefit will be a flourishing trade with tourists and retailers coming in. And a non-financial benefit is Brand Britain – this soft power and how it will position the UK on the global stage” said Zaki Cooper, a former Communications Officer for Buckingham Palace.
There will be more than 12,000 policemen and more than 10,000 soldiers on security duty in the center of London on Saturday. After the service the King and Queen will walk in a procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace and join the royal family for a private lunch.
On Sunday – there will be a big coronation luncheon across the country – with people organizing street parties.