The day of the King’s Coronation has arrived! This morning, the weather was holding, but it soon turned to rain that would be nonstop. We have had a fantastic time, As the day has arrived, the Coronation today, brings to England and the World, the first British Coronation in 70 years.
The British coronation is a rich and historic ceremony filled with various traditions and customs.
The coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey in London, followed by the Procession which the monarch-to-be proceeds in a grand procession through the streets of London, from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. The King and Queen will travel in the Jubilee Carriage to Westminster. Once arriving at the Abbey the centuries-old traditions of the coronation and oaths will begin.
The monarch takes an oath, typically known as the Coronation Oath or the Oath of Allegiance, in which they swear to uphold the law, govern the people according to their respective countries’ customs, and protect the Church.
Anointing: The monarch is anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury, symbolizing the conferral of divine authority.
Crowning: The monarch is crowned with the St. Edward’s Crown, a highly significant symbol of royal power and authority. This crown is traditionally used for the moment of crowning and is then exchanged for a more comfortable crown for the remainder of the ceremony.
Presentation of regalia: The monarch is presented with various regalia and symbolic items, such as the orb, scepter, and sword, representing their roles and responsibilities as the head of state.
Homage: Representatives from different sectors, such as the clergy, nobility, and government, pay homage to the new monarch, pledging their loyalty and support.
National Anthem: The ceremony concludes with the singing of the national anthem “God Save the King,” as a sign of respect and loyalty to the monarch.
Once the newly crowned King and Queen left the Abbey, the procession began a return to Buckingham Palace, this time, traveling in the Golden Carriage. A remarkable sight to see.
Experiencing the Coronation of King Charles from the streets of London with friends from near and afar gathered together, enjoying the festivities, knowing we were experiencing a remarkable and historical experience. Many we gathered with, we had met earlier in the year at the Queen’s State Funeral, and from that event, we formed new friendships and promised we would meet again at high noon the day before the King’s Coronation, and we did.
Images and in many cases, even words alone can’t express the experience and the time we had been present at such a historical event.