The coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla kicks off a weekend of royal festivities and celebrations.
Their Royal Highnesses will likely be formally crowned on Saturday at London’s Westminster Abbey – Britain’s first coronation since the late Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne on June 2, 1953.
Here’s a summary of the historical event.
What can we expect on coronation day?
King Charles III will likely be the fortieth monarch to be crowned in the church, and William the Conqueror will begin the centuries-old tradition on Christmas Day 1066.
The British royal family is the just one in Europe that also holds coronations.
While coronations are frequently grand events, Buckingham Palace has announced that the king’s coronation will likely be a less complicated and shorter affair.
“The coronation will reflect the role of the monarch today and look to the future, while being rooted in long-standing tradition and pageantry,” the palace said in a press release.
The ceremony will likely be officiated by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury – a job assigned to the Archbishop since its starting in 1066.
The ceremony is predicted to start out at 6am EST (11am in the UK) at London’s iconic Westminster Abbey.
Afterward Saturday, military personnel will fly over 60 aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
Recognition
During the first part of the coronation – often called the recognition – King Charles will likely be presented and announced to the people.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is predicted to declare the monarch “undoubted king”. and tell those present to support the recent ruler.
At Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953, the archbishop presented the late royal in all 4 corners of the church – symbolizing east, south, west and north – as people shouted “God save Queen Elizabeth!”
The same protocol is predicted at the Charles ceremony.
Coronation oath
The Coronation Oath will consist of the Archbishop of Canterbury asking the King three questions.
The King will lay his hand on the Holy Bible and say, “The things I actually have promised here before, I’ll do and keep. So help me God.”
Then he’ll sign the oath pledged his service to the people.
anointing
The Archbishop of Canterbury will make a cross with holy oil on “the king’s brow and elsewhere on his body to indicate that the monarch has been chosen by God”. Westminster Abbey website.
Too late queen’s coronation, the archbishop anointed her, saying: “Anoint your head with holy oil: as kings and prophets were anointed. And as Solomon was anointed king by Zadok the priest and Nathan the Prophet, so be anointed, blessed and consecrated King/Queen over the nations that the Lord your God has given you to rule and rule.”
The sacred oath was not filmed on camera and was not seen by those present at the time – the queen and archbishop were covered with a cover in order that nobody could see him rubbing oil on her face, chest and hands.
In accordance with treasure records held in the National Archives, the anointing oil is a “very large composition” of essential oils, balsams and spirits.
Follow up-to-date coverage of King Charles III’s coronation at The Post
Investiture
Traditionally, the monarch dons a ceremonial robe decorated with scarlet velvet.
Nevertheless it has been widely reported that King Charles wants to vary something to maintain up with the times.
Apparently, Charles will wear a military uniform for the big day, attempting to represent “the modern monarchy of the twenty first century”.
During the investiture, the king is predicted to receive coronation bracelets, called armlets, which he’ll wear during the ceremony.
Bracelets, which have played a major role in coronations for hundreds of years, symbolize sincerity and wisdom.
His Majesty will then receive an orb, coronation ring and scepter before being blessed by the Archbishop.
Coronation
The Archbishop of Canterbury will place St. Edward, which is over 400 years old, on the head of His Majesty – the first and only time when a monarch dons the crown of St. Edward, which is made of solid gold and weighs five kilos.
Last 12 months the crown was “faraway from the Tower of London to permit it to be modified” to suit the king’s measurements, the palace said in a press release.
His Majesty can even wear the Imperial State Crown during the coronation service.
The tiara, which comprises 444 gemstones consisting of rubies, sapphires, garnets and tourmalines, was last worn by Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
She famously described it as “unwieldy”, he told the BBC in 2018“You possibly can’t look right down to read a speech, you have got to select up a speech. Because for those who did, your neck would break – it could fall off.
“So there are some downsides to the crowns, but aside from that, they’re pretty necessary things,” she added.
The crown was originally made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661 and is safely kept in the Tower of London.
Tribute
The King is predicted to follow in the footsteps of previous monarchs by sitting in the coronation chair, also often called King Edward’s Chair.
A famous piece of furniture it was built at the behest of Edward I in the 14th century to connect the famous Scone Stone.
He’ll then move from the chair to the throne for the final part of the ceremony, often called homage.
The king will take the oath of allegiance before the archbishop says his last words.
It shouldn’t be yet known whether the king will choose the traditional way of kneeling, kissing and touching the crown, or whether he’ll depart from tradition.
Coronation of the Queen Consort
Camilla, 75, will likely be crowned queen along together with her husband, as was the mother of the late Queen Elizabeth in 1937.
The king is predicted to nod before Camilla is anointed with holy oil. Then a crown will likely be placed on her head.
Originally, Camilla was to inherit the title of princess upon the Queen’s death, nonetheless the late monarch expressed his request that Camilla be named Queen Consort.
After the coronation, “Consort” will likely be faraway from her title and will likely be called Queen Camilla or just The Queen.
End of service
Following the coronation of the King and Queen, His Majesty is predicted to receive Holy Communion before proceeding behind the high altar to the sanctuary of St. Edward the Confessor.
He’ll then placed on the Imperial State Crown and walk through Westminster Abbey carrying the orb and scepter.
The national anthem “God Save the King” will likely be performed by the congregation as the king leaves the abbey – the official starting of his reign, which is able to begin the procession.
What’s the procession route?
Following the coronation ceremony, the King and Queen will return to Buckingham Palace in ‘The Coronation Procession’.
Charles and Camilla will leave the abbey and walk through Parliament Street, next to the famous 10 Downing Street address where the prime minister lives.
They’ll then travel along the south side of Trafalgar Square, passing Admiralty Arch and heading down The Mall, opposite Buckingham Palace, the official royal residence.
Eventually, their carriage will go through the Central Gate of the palace.
On this occasion, the king and queen will travel in a golden coach. Created for Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of her reign, the coach was only utilized by the late Queen.
On their return, Charles and Camilla will receive the Royal Salute and three cheers from military personnel.
In accordance with royal.co.ukOver 6,000 men and girls from the UK Armed Forces will participate in the historic event.
The spectacle, described as the largest ceremonial military operation in 70 years, will likely be attended by sailors, soldiers and airmen from throughout the country and the Republic of Poland.
Upon arrival at the palace, the king and queen will likely be joined by other members of the royal family who will appear on the palace balcony.
Later Saturday, military personnel will fly over 60 aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
“I’m incredibly proud of our good military staff as they prepare to honor centuries of military tradition by taking to the streets, skies and seas to pay tribute to our recent king and queen and rejoice the coronation…” UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said statement.