The coronation of King Charles III, a momentous event that occurs for the first time in seven decades, has been widely praised by the public. In a formal ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, placed the St. Edward’s Crown on the King’s head, marking the most significant part of the coronation service.
Before placing the crown on King Charles III’s head, Welby recited a prayer, saying: “King of kings and Lord of lords, bless, we beseech thee, this Crown, and so sanctify thy servant Charles, upon whose head this day thou dost place it for a sign of royal majesty; that he may be crowned with thy gracious favour and filled with abundant grace and all princely virtues; through him who liveth and reigneth supreme over all things, one God, world without end. Amen.”
After crowning the King, Welby exclaimed, “God Save the King.”
King Charles III had earlier taken his coronation oath, a solemn promise to uphold the laws and customs of the United Kingdom and to rule with justice and fairness.
The King and Queen Camilla were serenaded by the Choir of Westminster Abbey as they made their way through the Abbey. The choir performed a choral music selection, including the coronation anthem written by Hubert Parry for King Edward VII’s coronation in 1902. The anthem features traditional Latin acclamations for the new monarch called “vivats,” which Parry incorporated into the piece.
The music performance was augmented by several other choirs, including the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St. James’ Palace; choristers from Methodist College, Belfast; the Choir of Truro Cathedral; and an octet from the Monteverdi Choir.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived at Westminster Abbey to kick off the historic coronation ceremony. Several senior members of the royal family, including Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew, had already taken their seats in the Abbey.
Queen Camilla’s family, including her former husband Andrew Parker-Bowles and her daughter Laura Lopes and son Tom Parker-Bowles, were also in attendance.
In a slight deviation from tradition, the King and Queen processed to the ceremony in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, drawn by six Windsor Grey horses. Four divisions of the Household Cavalry, the sovereign’s most trusted bodyguards, accompanied them on the 1.3-mile route. The coronation of King Charles III was a magnificent occasion that will be remembered for generations to come.
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