It was a historic event: Charles III. and Camilla have been crowned king and queen. There were many anachronisms during the celebrations, but also messages that promise a breath of fresh air.
The rain didn’t stop most from coming to central London. Tens of thousands flocked to the boulevard “The Mall” in the morning to experience the procession there. He wants to experience this great moment in history, said one visitor, holding his daughter’s hand, both beaming, both wrapped in Union Jacks.
You shouldn’t be disappointed. The day offered golden carriages, proud military, pompous music and a newly crowned King Charles III. with the also crowned Queen Camilla at his side.
Arrests on the outskirts celebrations
In the morning, the royal couple went in a procession to Westminster Abbey. Tens of thousands watched, cheered and waved flags. Distributed on screens in the city center, those who had not gotten a seat in the front row could watch. Thousands of police officers secured the event. On the fringes of the celebrations, the police arrested dozens of demonstrators, including opponents of the monarchy and climate activists.
More than 2,000 invited guests from all over the world were already waiting in Westminster Abbey, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. US President Joe Biden did not come, but his wife Jill did. Numerous celebrities such as the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and the musician Nick Cave also took their seats. The king had also invited numerous Brits who had attracted attention through their voluntary commitment – an innovation that had not existed in 1953 at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Many innovations under the new king
And anyway, the innovations: Charles III. had a lot of new music composed and asked a gospel choir to perform at the ceremony, which has never happened before and which should definitely be understood as a signal in a multicultural Great Britain. The anointing oil was vegan, which was also the message from a king to whom the protection of nature and animals is particularly important.
The dignitaries of different religions were involved in the ceremony. For the first time as a woman, the conservative politician Penny Mordaunt took on the traditional task of carrying the sword of state blessed by the archbishop (“Sword of Offering”) to the king. Many significant messages emphasizing that King Charles III. wants to modernize the monarchy.
The newly crowned royal couple: Charles III. and Camilla.
Oath, anointing, coronation
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, accepted King Charles III. absolved the oath, anointed him, and finally placed the crown of St. Edward on his head. Between these significant points, the ceremony was carried by choral music, with a soloist singing a song in Welsh – again unprecedented.
Charles was the 40th monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey. In 1066 Wilhelm the Conqueror was the first to be crowned here. No action, no object that is not deeply rooted in the tradition of the British monarchy: the 444 jeweled St. Edward’s crown was made in 1661, after the English Civil War.
When Archbishop Welby crowned the monarch, the congregation cried “God save the King,” followed by cannon shots and bells ringing across the country. Camilla was also anointed and crowned.
Only “working royals” on the palace balcony
On the way back from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, tens of thousands still lined the streets and waved to the royal family in the rain.
The appearance on the palace balcony is also part of the important ritual, combined with the question of who is allowed to stand here with the king. Charles III advocates a streamlining of the monarchy. Prince Harry and his wife, Duchess Meghan, have turned their backs on the family. Only Prince Harry had arrived, who for this reason did not appear on the balcony. Here are only the “working royals”, i.e. the family members who have also taken on tasks of the crown such as patronage, visits to charities and voluntary projects.
The king’s brother, Prince Andrew, did not step onto the balcony either. He was relieved of his duties because of his association with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. There are eleven family members in total who are entrusted with official duties. A squadron of Royal Air Force aircraft eventually flew over the palace.
street festivals and holiday
Numerous street festivals will take place across the country on Sunday. This is where people come together to eat and drink together.
Monday is a bank holiday in the UK, the day is under the heading of social cohesion. The British should get involved on a voluntary basis. Millions follow the king’s wish and get a taste of aid organizations.