On Saturday, King Charles III was crowned at Westminster Abbey in Britain’s greatest ceremony in seven decades, a 1,000-year-old spectacle.
In September, Charles succeeded his mother, Queen Elizabeth, and will become the oldest British monarch to wear the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown on a 14th-century throne at Westminster Abbey at 74.
The monarch and his second wife Camilla, 75, who will be proclaimed queen during the two-hour event, departed Buckingham Palace in the sleek, black Diamond State Jubilee Coach with cavalrymen in gleaming breastplates plumed helmets.
Charles was crowned at the abbey in front of 100 heads of state and dignitaries, including U.S. first lady Jill Biden, and millions of viewers on television.
The occasion will show a monarchy with a future.
For a nation attempting to find its place in the political maelstrom after its leave from the EU and preserve its status in a new world order, advocates argue the royal family still provides a worldwide appeal, a valuable diplomatic instrument, and a way to stay on the world stage.
“No other country could put on such a dazzling display – the processions, pageantry, ceremonies, and street parties,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated.
Despite Sunak’s enthusiasm, the coronation is occurring amid a cost of living crisis and popular skepticism, particularly among the youth, regarding the monarchy’s importance.
The 1953 gala for Queen Elizabeth featured golden orbs, bejeweled swords, and a wand with the world’s biggest colorless cut diamond. Saturday’s spectacle will be smaller but still beautiful.
Hundreds of troops in brilliant scarlet uniforms and towering black bearskin helmets lined The Mall, the broad thoroughfare to Buckingham Palace, where tens of thousands disregarded the drizzle to gather in crowds over 20 thick.
“I saw the beautiful white horses pulling the carriage,” remarked 49-year-old Beverlee Moag-Walker from Northern Ireland as the king’s carriage passed. “It’s great.”
Barrister Michelle Fawcett, 52, remarked, “It was a moment in history and pretty spectacular.”
Hundreds of Republicans carried “Not My King” banners and booed Charles.
The Republic campaign organization stated more than 11,000 police arrested its leader Graham Smith and five other demonstrators to prevent disturbance.
“It is disgusting and massively over the top,” claimed anti-monarchy demonstrator Kevin John, 57.
Charles and Camilla will ride back to Buckingham Palace in a one-mile parade of 4,000 military troops from 39 nations on George III’s four-tonne Gold State Coach.
Britain’s biggest extravaganza since Charles’ mother’s coronation.
Politicians, Commonwealth leaders, charity workers, and celebrities, including Emma Thompson, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, and Katy Perry, sat in the abbey, decorated with flowers and flags.
Officials claimed Charles’ predecessors from King Edgar in 973 would recognize much of the ritual. Since 1727, “Zadok The Priest” has been Handel’s coronation anthem.
An Andrew Lloyd Webber anthem and a gospel choir will be added.
The Christian service will feature an “unprecedented” greeting from church leaders and pages from Prince George and Camilla’s offspring.
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