King Charles will leave Westminster Abbey wearing a different crown, the Imperial State Crown.
London:
King Charles became monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in September, but will be crowned in May in a ceremony filled with pomp, pageantry and sacred religious significance.
Why is he crowned and what does it mean?
What is the history of coronation?
For the best part of a thousand years, the kings and queens of England and Britain have been crowned at Westminster Abbey in London in a ceremony that has changed little over the centuries.
38 monarchs have been crowned at the abbey – Edward V, one of two young princes believed to have been murdered in the Tower of London in the 15th century, and Edward VIII, who married American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Abandoned the throne, was not crowned.
Is the coronation ceremony unique?
A coronation is not necessary and no other monarchy around the world has an event in the same style.
Royal historian Alice Hunt said, “The form of ceremony that we will see when Charles III is coronated is unique to this country and unique in its existence.”
It is held by the Earl Marshal, the most senior peer of England, who is in charge of state occasions and which has been held for centuries mainly by The Duke of Norfolk and the Howard family.
Currently, it is the work of Edward Fitzalan-Howard, the current Duke of Norfolk, who also arranged for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
Why is there a coronation?
Originally, a coronation was a requirement for a monarch, but it is now a ceremonial event.
Hunt said, “In this country, the coronation still stands as the one moment that would actually publicly legitimize that monarch.”
“It has also always remained, at its heart, a kind of religious moment of change. Although the emperor is emperor from the time the predecessor has died, the language of the coronation ceremony has since ceased in the 14th century. expressed that the king or queen is somehow transformed during that ceremony.”
What happens at the coronation?
The coronation service is a solemn, religious occasion and full of symbolism. Charles would take an oath to uphold the law and the Church of England.
Sitting on the historic Coronation Chair known as King Edward’s Chair and containing the Stone of Destiny, he will be anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, who is anointed with holy oil in Jerusalem Will go
It is the focal point of the ceremony and signifies God’s grace on the sovereign.
Hunt said, “It is very easy to let the words overpower you in a religious ceremony.” “But listen to what’s being said about what’s happening at that moment of consecration. It’s really unique and quite powerful, and it has a long, long history.”
Charles will also be presented with various highly ornate gold jewellery, sceptres, swords and a ring, all of which are part of the Crown Jewels and symbolize in various ways the power, authority and duties of the monarch and the power of God.
The archbishop will place on his head the massive St Edward’s Crown used at coronations for the last 35 years. It won’t just be Charles who will be crowned. His wife Camilla will also undergo a simpler, mini-coronation ceremony as Queen.
Charles will leave the Abbey wearing a different crown, the Imperial State Crown.
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