Smaller, shorter, cheaper and faster? First details on the coronation of King Charles III. (73) in Westminster Abbey leaked out. Accordingly, he and the palace are planning a significantly reduced ceremony next spring.
As Mail Online reports, Operation Golden Orb, as the planning for Charles’ coronation is called, could take place on the 70th anniversary of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II’s (1926-2022) coronation, which is on 2 June 2023. So while the late monarch had to wait a full 16 months for her own coronation in 1953, Charles’ coronation will take place after a much shorter period of time.
Sources have also revealed that the ceremony will be “shorter, smaller and less expensive” than his mother’s coronation, although it will also include a celebration of a lifetime. The service is intended to reflect the “slimmed down” monarchy he has redesigned and would also take into account the ongoing cost of living crisis in Britain.
When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in June 1953, the lavish ceremony was a much-needed morale boost for a nation devastated by war. It is believed to have cost £1.57million at the time, which is around £45million today.
The traditional aspects of the ceremony are expected to remain unchanged. In addition, the king, who is also the head of the Church of England, is said to be trying to celebrate the diversity of the United Kingdom. Members of different faiths, including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists, are to be invited to the service in the London Abbey.
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8th at Balmoral Castle, her firstborn, Prince Charles, became the new king after her 70-year reign. At the same time, “Operation Golden Orb” went into action. After the state funeral and burial on Monday (September 19), the royal family withdrew as part of a period of mourning until next Monday.
