In a solemn ceremony, Charles III. been crowned King of Britain. The 74-year-old was crowned at Westminster Abbey after being anointed and sworn in. Congratulations came from all over the world.
About eight months after his accession to the throne, Charles III. officially crowned King of Britain. His wife Camilla was crowned queen. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby donned the Edwardian Crown and Queen Mary’s Crown to both of them at a ceremony in London’s Westminster Abbey.
As part of the ceremony, 74-year-old Charles was anointed with holy oil, and his eldest son, heir to the throne Prince William, dressed his father in royal robes. Then Charles III. been crowned King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with St. Edward’s Crown.
Charles III is heir to the throne of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died last year at the age of 96 after a 70-year reign.
King Charles III receives the Edwardian crown during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Coronation in front of 2300 invited guests
The coronation took place in Westminster Abbey in front of 2300 invited guests. Among them were numerous state guests, members of international noble houses and representatives of various religious communities.
Among the political guests were German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former British Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, US First Lady Jill Biden and the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj, Olena Zelenska.
Pop stars like Katy Perry and Lionel Richie also attended the ceremony. Both should also be on stage at the coronation concert on Sunday evening.
Premier Sunak reads from the Bible
In his oath Charles had sworn to rule over all Britons with “justice and mercy”. He also wanted to create a climate in which people of all faiths could live in freedom. Charles also kissed a copy of the Bible at the ceremony.
The Archbishop introduced Charles as King to the congregation at the beginning of the service and asked them to say “God bless King Charles” as an expression of their support. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a Hindu, then read from the Bible from the Epistle to the Colossians.
After the coronation ceremony, the King and Queen returned to Buckingham Palace in a historic golden carriage, the Gold State Coach. Almost 4000 military personnel took part in this parade.
Congratulations from all over the world
The British king then received congratulations from all over the world. US President Joe Biden congratulated Charles III. and Queen Camilla, and paid tribute to the “long-lasting friendship between the US and Great Britain”. Biden tweeted that the relationship between the two countries was a “source of strength for both our peoples.” He is proud that his wife Jill “represents the United States on this historic occasion,” said Biden, who himself did not travel to London for the celebrations. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said it was an honor to attend the coronation – it was “a symbol of the continuing strength of the UK, our staunch NATO ally,” he wrote on Twitter.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the coronation as “a testament to the (…) strength of the British monarchy and a symbol of stability and continuity”. “My congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla,” von der Leyen also wrote on Twitter, posting a picture of himself at the ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also congratulated Charles III. “from the bottom of my heart”. “As King, you represent the cohesion of the United Kingdom,” Steinmeier wrote.
Charles has been king since his mother’s death on September 8, 2022. The coronation merely symbolizes his assumption of office. It is the first coronation of a British monarch in 70 and the first of a king in 86 years. Since there is no such coronation ritual in the royal families of other countries, the celebration was a unique event for most of the guests.