Just a few weeks after Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral, preparations for the next big royal ceremony begin in Great Britain.
On the fourth birthday of his grandson Archie – May 6, 2023 – King Charles III. (73) and his wife, king consort Camilla (75), will be crowned in London’s Westminster Abbey, the palace announced. The preparations are under the title “Operation Goldener Reichsapfel” (Operation Golden Orb).
The processes have been known for centuries. But as several media reported, Charles wants to streamline some of the customs as a sign of a more modern monarchy.
The core elements are expected to be the same as Charles’ predecessors, however. The ceremony is divided into six sections. First, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who leads the service as spiritual leader of the Church of England, proclaims Charles king. He then takes an oath to rule according to the law and protect the Church. After kissing the Bible and signing his oath, he is anointed with holy oil, crowned and ascended to the throne. Finally, the archbishop and princes swear allegiance to the king.
Charles has been King of Britain since the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II on September 8th. Elizabeth had expressed her wish during her lifetime that Charles’ wife Camilla would one day become queen. Westminster Abbey has been the site of British coronations for 900 years. Since William the Conqueror in 1066, the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Church, has always led the service.
No information on the guest list
It is not yet clear whether birthday child Archie, who lives in California with his parents Prince Harry, Charles’ youngest son, and Duchess Meghan and sister Lilibet (1), will attend the coronation. Harry and Meghan are said to have a difficult relationship, especially with Charles. In several interviews, the couple had made serious allegations against the palace. That’s why Harry is said to have enormous tensions with his older brother, heir to the throne Prince William.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is likely to be among the guests, also has his birthday on May 6th. It’s also the wedding anniversary of Charles’ aunt, Princess Margaret. The Queen’s younger sister married the Earl of Snowdon in 1960, from whom she divorced in 1978.
There is also no information about the other guests. However, it is expected that the more than 2,000 participants will come from roughly the same group who came to Westminster Abbey for the state funeral for Charles’ mother Queen Elizabeth II on September 19. At that time, hundreds of heads of state such as US President Joe Biden and crowned heads from all over the world took part.
Coronation should combine tradition and modernity
“The coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look to the future, while rooting in ancient traditions and splendour,” the palace said. The Duke of Norfolk, who also organized the Queen’s state funeral, is responsible for the royal ceremonies. Edward Fitzalan-Howard, as the nobleman’s real name is, recently had to give up his driver’s license for six months because of making phone calls at the wheel – although he had emphasized that he needed it to organize the coronation celebrations.
The fact that Charles is not crowned until eight months after taking office is not unusual. “The coronation of the new sovereign traditionally takes place a few months after his accession to the throne and follows a period of state and royal mourning,” the palace said. For example, Queen Elizabeth II had been King George VI since the death of her father. Queen on 6 February 1952. However, her coronation did not take place until June 2, 1953.
