NEW DELHI: King Charles III was crowned on Saturday in Britain‘s biggest ceremonial event in seven decades. It was a ceremony built on ancient traditions at a time when the British monarchy faces an uncertain future. Charles’ second wife Camilla, 75, was also crowned queen.
Ceremonial gun salutes blasted out across land and sea while bells pealed in celebration at churches across the country as they were crowned.
Charles automatically succeeded his mother, as king, on her death last September, and the coronation is as a means to legitimise the monarch in a public way.
Here are the key events of the day
Sumptuous display of pageantry dates back 1,000 years
The historic and solemn event dates back to the time of the 74-year-old’s predecessor William the Conqueror in 1066. In front of a congregation of about 100 world leaders and a television audience of millions, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, slowly placed the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown on Charles’ head as he sat upon a 14th-century throne in Westminster Abbey.
“No other country could put on such a dazzling display – the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies, and street parties,” Britain’s prime minister Rishi Sunak said.
Charles’ second oath
Charles III, during his coronation ceremony on Saturday, took the second oath — the Accession Declaration Oath — stating that he is a “faithful Protestant”.
The Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledged the multiple faiths observed in the UK by saying the Church of England “will seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths may live freely”. Welby then administered the Coronation Oath — a legal requirement and asked King Charles, 74, to confirm that he would uphold the law and the Church of England during his reign.
There has been a deliberate attempt to make the Coronation a more multifaith and diverse ceremony, alongside what is essentially a Christian church service.
PM Sunak reads from biblical book
Sunak on Saturday made history as the first Indian-origin British prime minister to perform a reading at the Coronation ceremony.
The 42-year-old British Hindu leader read from the Epistle to the Colossians from the New Testament reflecting the theme of service to others, in keeping with the recent tradition of UK Prime Ministers giving readings at State occasions. He and his wife Akshata Murty led the procession of flag-bearers as the UK’s Union Jack flag was carried into the Abbey by a high-ranking Royal Air Force cadet.
Dhankhar represents India at the coronation
Vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Dr Sudesh Dhankhar on Saturday represented India at the historic Coronation ceremony of King Charles at Westminster Abbey here.
Dhankhar, who arrived here on Friday, joined an estimated 100 Heads of State and government from around the world invited to the historic crowning of Britain’s new monarch.
On Friday, Dhankar interacted with King Charles at a reception soon after his arrival here to attend the majestic Coronation ceremony.
List of attendees and invitees
British Indian chef Manju Malhi has been invited among 450 British Empire Medal (BEM) winners for her work with an old age charity. Also invited is Sourabh Phadke, a graduate of the Prince’s Foundation’s Building Craft Programme and the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts.
Among other young people associated with the former Prince of Wales’ charity initiatives, who are invited, include Gulfsha, who was awarded the Prince’s Trust Global Award in 2022 in recognition of her exceptional determination and achievements demonstrated through her participation in the charity’s ‘Get Into’ programme in India. From Canada, Indian-origin Jay Patel is also among the invitees to the Abbey on Saturday for completing the Prince’s Trust Canada’s Youth Employment programme in May 2022.
In addition to the guests seated in the Abbey, 400 young people representing charitable organisations nominated by the King and Queen Camilla and the UK government watched the service and processions from inside St Margaret’s Church at Westminster Abbey. The overall guest list also included members of Parliament, former British PMs, representatives from the church and other faiths, representatives from the country’s defence services and Nobel Prize Winners. Celebrities include Ant and Dec, Katy Perry, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson.
Anti-monarchists among UK protesters arrested
UK police drew condemnation after arresting leading members of the anti-monarchy group Republic as they prepared to protest along the route of a procession for the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday.
Officers from London‘s Metropolitan Police force detained six organisers from the pressure group and seized hundreds of their placards, Republic said, just hours before Charles’s crowning.
Outfits of royals, guests an array of colours and traditions
From traditional robes to statement headpieces, royals and guests wore an array of colourful outfits for the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III on Saturday, filling London’s Westminster Abbey with a mix of hues and designs.
The monarch arrived at the Abbey in the crimson velvet Robe of State, worn by his grandfather King George VI at his 1937 coronation, a crimson coronation tunic and cream silk overshirt with royal naval trousers.
Camilla wore the Robe of State originally made for the late Queen Elizabeth at her 1953 coronation over an ivory gown embellished with silver and gold floral embroidery and designed by British couturier Bruce Oldfield.
More than 2,000 guests, thousands of troops, tens of thousands of spectators and a smattering of protesters converged in and around the abbey as the king and his wife, Camilla, traveled in a gilt-trimmed carriage pulled by six horses.
What changes do coronation bring?
King Charles III coronation is going to bring a seachange in the UK and across Commonwealth realms, prominent being National Anthem, coins, stamps, postboxes and passports to name a few.
King Charles’ portrait will now feature on British money and postage stamps, as per reports.
The British national anthem becomes — “God Save the Queen” or “God Save the King,” depending on who is reigning. Thus, After King Charles III ascends to the throne, the first three lines of the anthem will be: “God save our gracious King! Long live our noble King! God save the King!
Bank of England unveiled the design of King Charles III banknotes on 20 December 2022. The King’s portrait will feature on all four of UK polymer banknotes. The King’s image will feature on the front of the banknotes and in the see-through security window. Bank of England expects to issue bank notes featuring the King’s portrait by mid-2024. People in the UK will still be able to use all polymer notes that feature the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Current banknotes featuring the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II will continue to be legal tender and will only be removed from circulation once they become worn or damaged. The banknotes featuring the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II will co-circulate with those featuring King Charles III.
(With inputs from agencies)
Ceremonial gun salutes blasted out across land and sea while bells pealed in celebration at churches across the country as they were crowned.
Charles automatically succeeded his mother, as king, on her death last September, and the coronation is as a means to legitimise the monarch in a public way.
Here are the key events of the day
Sumptuous display of pageantry dates back 1,000 years
The historic and solemn event dates back to the time of the 74-year-old’s predecessor William the Conqueror in 1066. In front of a congregation of about 100 world leaders and a television audience of millions, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, slowly placed the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown on Charles’ head as he sat upon a 14th-century throne in Westminster Abbey.
“No other country could put on such a dazzling display – the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies, and street parties,” Britain’s prime minister Rishi Sunak said.
Charles’ second oath
Charles III, during his coronation ceremony on Saturday, took the second oath — the Accession Declaration Oath — stating that he is a “faithful Protestant”.
The Archbishop of Canterbury acknowledged the multiple faiths observed in the UK by saying the Church of England “will seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths may live freely”. Welby then administered the Coronation Oath — a legal requirement and asked King Charles, 74, to confirm that he would uphold the law and the Church of England during his reign.
There has been a deliberate attempt to make the Coronation a more multifaith and diverse ceremony, alongside what is essentially a Christian church service.
PM Sunak reads from biblical book
Sunak on Saturday made history as the first Indian-origin British prime minister to perform a reading at the Coronation ceremony.
The 42-year-old British Hindu leader read from the Epistle to the Colossians from the New Testament reflecting the theme of service to others, in keeping with the recent tradition of UK Prime Ministers giving readings at State occasions. He and his wife Akshata Murty led the procession of flag-bearers as the UK’s Union Jack flag was carried into the Abbey by a high-ranking Royal Air Force cadet.
Dhankhar represents India at the coronation
Vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Dr Sudesh Dhankhar on Saturday represented India at the historic Coronation ceremony of King Charles at Westminster Abbey here.
Dhankhar, who arrived here on Friday, joined an estimated 100 Heads of State and government from around the world invited to the historic crowning of Britain’s new monarch.
On Friday, Dhankar interacted with King Charles at a reception soon after his arrival here to attend the majestic Coronation ceremony.
List of attendees and invitees
British Indian chef Manju Malhi has been invited among 450 British Empire Medal (BEM) winners for her work with an old age charity. Also invited is Sourabh Phadke, a graduate of the Prince’s Foundation’s Building Craft Programme and the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts.
Among other young people associated with the former Prince of Wales’ charity initiatives, who are invited, include Gulfsha, who was awarded the Prince’s Trust Global Award in 2022 in recognition of her exceptional determination and achievements demonstrated through her participation in the charity’s ‘Get Into’ programme in India. From Canada, Indian-origin Jay Patel is also among the invitees to the Abbey on Saturday for completing the Prince’s Trust Canada’s Youth Employment programme in May 2022.
In addition to the guests seated in the Abbey, 400 young people representing charitable organisations nominated by the King and Queen Camilla and the UK government watched the service and processions from inside St Margaret’s Church at Westminster Abbey. The overall guest list also included members of Parliament, former British PMs, representatives from the church and other faiths, representatives from the country’s defence services and Nobel Prize Winners. Celebrities include Ant and Dec, Katy Perry, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson.
Anti-monarchists among UK protesters arrested
UK police drew condemnation after arresting leading members of the anti-monarchy group Republic as they prepared to protest along the route of a procession for the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday.
Officers from London‘s Metropolitan Police force detained six organisers from the pressure group and seized hundreds of their placards, Republic said, just hours before Charles’s crowning.
Outfits of royals, guests an array of colours and traditions
From traditional robes to statement headpieces, royals and guests wore an array of colourful outfits for the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III on Saturday, filling London’s Westminster Abbey with a mix of hues and designs.
The monarch arrived at the Abbey in the crimson velvet Robe of State, worn by his grandfather King George VI at his 1937 coronation, a crimson coronation tunic and cream silk overshirt with royal naval trousers.
Camilla wore the Robe of State originally made for the late Queen Elizabeth at her 1953 coronation over an ivory gown embellished with silver and gold floral embroidery and designed by British couturier Bruce Oldfield.
More than 2,000 guests, thousands of troops, tens of thousands of spectators and a smattering of protesters converged in and around the abbey as the king and his wife, Camilla, traveled in a gilt-trimmed carriage pulled by six horses.
What changes do coronation bring?
King Charles III coronation is going to bring a seachange in the UK and across Commonwealth realms, prominent being National Anthem, coins, stamps, postboxes and passports to name a few.
King Charles’ portrait will now feature on British money and postage stamps, as per reports.
The British national anthem becomes — “God Save the Queen” or “God Save the King,” depending on who is reigning. Thus, After King Charles III ascends to the throne, the first three lines of the anthem will be: “God save our gracious King! Long live our noble King! God save the King!
Bank of England unveiled the design of King Charles III banknotes on 20 December 2022. The King’s portrait will feature on all four of UK polymer banknotes. The King’s image will feature on the front of the banknotes and in the see-through security window. Bank of England expects to issue bank notes featuring the King’s portrait by mid-2024. People in the UK will still be able to use all polymer notes that feature the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Current banknotes featuring the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II will continue to be legal tender and will only be removed from circulation once they become worn or damaged. The banknotes featuring the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II will co-circulate with those featuring King Charles III.
(With inputs from agencies)