In a solemn service, King Charles III. (74) crowned at Westminster Abbey in London. The ceremony follows centuries-old traditions and features a number of important roles. It has now been officially announced which people will take over on May 6th. The royal family also shared further details about the process.
Ceremonial duties include carrying the regalia in the procession and presenting them to Charles and his wife Camilla, 75. Buckingham Palace emphasizes that the purpose of the assignment is to thank those chosen for their special service to the nation. These are representatives of the knightly order, the military and public life.
The first processions into the abbey are made up of faith leaders and representatives. This is followed by representatives of the Commonwealth. National representatives carry their respective flags, accompanied by the governors-general and prime ministers. The flag of the United Kingdom will be carried by Cadet Officer Elliott Tyson-Lee in front of Prime Minister Rishi Sunack and his wife Akshata Murty. This task is “a great and incredible honor,” said Tyson-Lee.
Then follows the procession of the king and queen. It is led by the Marquess of Anglesey, the Duke of Westminster, the Earl of Caledon and the Earl of Dundee. They carry the standards of the Royal Army and the Principality of Wales. Francis Dymoke will carry the royal standard. The Dymoke family has held this role since the Middle Ages.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin will also take part in the procession. The Chief of Defense Staff acts as the Lord High Constable of England. This office exists only on the day of the coronation. Traditionally, the Lord High Constable is a great civil servant and has historically been associated with the military. He will attend alongside the Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk. The Earl of Erroll assumes the role of Lord High Constable of Scotland. The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres acts as deputy to the Great Steward of Scotland, Prince William of Wales.
Then four people bring the regalia of the king’s wife to the altar. Baroness Helena Kennedy of the Shaws carries Camilla’s baton, General Sir Patrick Sanders carries her sceptre, the Duke of Wellington carries Queen Mary’s crown and Lord Chartres wears the king’s consort ring. The latter emphasizes: “The ceremonies of the coronation are ancient, but they have been reinterpreted for our contemporary world.”
The presentation of the king’s regalia is then more extensive. General Sir Gordon Messenger wears the Edwardian crown as Lord High Steward of England, Baroness (Elizabeth) Manningham-Buller the baton of St Edward, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry the scepter and cross, Baroness (Floella) Benjamin the scepter with the dove. Dame Elizabeth Anionwu brings the Orb to the Altar, Brigadier Andrew Jackson the Ring of the Sovereign, Sergeant Amy Taylor the Sword of Sacrifice, Lord Hastings and the Earl of Loudoun the Spurs, Lord President of the Council, Penny Mordaunt the Sword of State, Air Marshal Lord Peach the Sword of Mercy, General Lord Richards of Herstmonceux the Sword of Spiritual Justice, General Lord Houghton of Richmond the Sword of Judicial Justice.
General Sir Gordon Messenger, as the Lord High Steward of England, is the senior major civil servant for the coronation. This office also only exists on the day of the coronation. The general wears the Edwardian crown into the abbey, the most important insignia. He said: “To play a key role in such an important and historic event fills me, my family, the Royal Marines and the community of the Tower of London with great pride.”
Sergeant Amy Taylor will be the first woman to carry the jeweled Sword of Offering into the Abbey. She represents the soldiers of the Royal Navy. “A tribute to His Majesty’s military career,” said Buckingham Palace. Amy Taylor is “deeply honored and humbled to do my part in this historic event.”
Baroness Benjamin and Dame Elizabeth Anionwu are among the last members of the Order of Merit chosen by the late Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022). Baroness Benjamin carries the scepter with a dove, emphasizing that it represents “spirituality, justice and mercy”. It sends “a clear message that diversity and inclusion are embraced”. That’s what she stands for.
At the beginning of the service, the King is introduced to the congregation. The so-called act of recognition will be attended by: the Archbishop of Canterbury, Baroness (Valerie) Amos, Lady Elish Angiolini and Christopher Finney, President of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.
During the coronation service, the regalia are presented to the royal couple. Those responsible for this were chosen on the recommendation of the government.
The insignia of King Charles III. present: Lord Carrington, Lord Great Chamberlain the spurs, Lord (Syed) Kamall the arms, Baroness (Gillian) Merron the royal robes, John McDowell, Archbishop of the Church of Ireland, the orb, Lord (Narendra) Patel the ring, Lord ( Indarjit) Singh of Wimbledon the coronation gauntlet, Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness and Episcopal Primus of Scotland – the scepter with cross and Andrew John, the Archbishop of Wales, the scepter with dove. The Archbishop of Canterbury crowns Charles III. with the Edwardian crown.
After that, Camilla is presented with the insignia. The Bishop of Dover presents the Queen’s staff, Lord Chartres the scepter and cross, and Brigadier Andrew Jackson the ring. The Archbishop of Canterbury crowns Camilla with the crown of Queen Mary.
The Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, said of his role: “I am surprised, excited and honored to have been asked to take part in this unique historic event.” He will always “keep the royal couple in his prayers”.
The coronation service will begin at 11am UK time (12pm German time) on Saturday 6 May. It should last around an hour. At Charles’ mother Elizabeth II, the ceremony lasted more than three hours. The royal couple then drives back to Buckingham Palace in a procession.
