BY WINNIE KENDY MUTURI
One of the most ancient ceremonies in Britain is the crowning of a monarch. The ceremony is emersed in religion and is accompanied by symbolism and historic artifacts like crown jewels.
King Charles’ coronation will be shorter and on a small scale compared to Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 which was one of the most defining moments of the 20th century, but will still feature the kind of magnificence and tradition that was paraded at the queen’s funeral.
The coronation will happen on May 6th according to newsletters. Tradition demands that after accessing the throne, eight months after, the coronation of the new ruler should be done, after having a period of national and royal mourning as well as having ample time to prepare for the ceremony.
The same Baron of Norfolk that organized the queen’s funeral personates the presentation of the coronation.
The ceremony will be held at Westminster Abbey, the setting for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.
There are six facets to the coronation. The recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture- which includes the crowning, the enthronement, and the homage.
The journey to Abbey will commence at Buckingham Palace and will proceed down the mall to the abbey.
The royal family, clergy, and dignitaries will accompany King Charles III and Queen Consort. The procession will be led by the Yeomen of the Guard, tailed by the King’s champion on horseback, who challenges anyone opposing the coronation.
Justin Welby, The Archbishop of the Canterbury, together with the other clergy will greet the king and queen consort.
The king and queen consort will be welcomed to the Westminster abbey by the dean of Westminster David Hoyle and he will lead them to the coronation chair which is wooden and located at the center part of the abbey.
The insignia will be carried in procession during the coronation. The king’s and queen’s consort’s insignia will be carried by different people.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will anoint, bless and consecrate the king after the oath. They are anointed with holy oil as a sign that God chose them.
The king will sit on King Edward’s chair without his robe. The chair was made in 1300 and has been used by every monarch since 1626, under a canopy of gold cloth held by four knights of the garter.
Zadok the Priest’s anthem will be sung by the choir as the anointing is carried out.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will place the St Edward’s crown on the king’s head. Then, the queen consort will be crowned with the queen’s crown.
The crown is a vital symbol of monarchy representing responsibility and authority to rule justly.
The king will put on a sleeveless white garment -the columbium sindonis- and then a robe of cloth of gold – the supertunica.
The king will be shown with a jeweled sword and the golden chivalry – and the armills – golden bracelets of sincerity and wisdom.
He will be shown with the orb on a royal robe of gold cloth, the coronation ring on the fourth finger of his right hand, the scepter and the rod.
Sitting in King Edward’s chair the archbishop will crown Charles with the congregation shouting out “God save the King”.
The king will ascend to his throne and will be lifted by the archbishops, bishops, and the other peers of the kingdom after the blessing.
The royal blood princes and the archbishop inclusive of the prince of Wales and the senior peers pay homage to the monarch with their hands between the kings and swearing allegiance touching the crown and kissing the right hand of the king. Commons does not pay homage.
The simple ceremony of Queen Consort Camilla will follow the homage. The king and queen will take an oath which is a solemn promise to uphold the laws of the land and to defend the church of England.
With the sword of state carried before the king, he will proceed to the altar and make a declaration “The things which I have here before promised, I will perform, and keep. So help me God.” He will kiss the bible and kiss the oath.
The kind and queen will be presented to the people of the United Kingdom. Waving to the crowd the king and queen will create their way back to Buckingham Palace.
At this point, the new monarch embraces their duties and begins their reign. Chosen on the advice of the government, the insignia is presented to them. various people will show the insignia to their lords.