2023-05-03 14:23:04
Next Saturday, the British royal family will turn a new page with the coronation of King Charles III, in a scene that simulates the Middle Ages, but in a modern way.
The lavish coronation and its symbolism date back more than a thousand years, but the coronation of the new king will involve new shifts in tradition compared to the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, 70 years ago.
Charles automatically ascended to the throne when his mother, Elizabeth, died on September 8. He was officially declared King of Britain two days later in a televised ceremony.
Why the coronation if Charles was already king?
There is no legal reason for coronation, and other European monarchies have canceled similar ceremonies.
But this religious and heraldic event is a more formal confirmation of Charles’ role as Head of State and Honorary Head of the Church of England, and aims to show that the King’s authority is “derived from God”.
Westminster Abbey has been the venue for coronation ceremonies since the coronation of William the Conqueror in 1066.
Who will attend the coronation?
In a sign of the change in the UK’s religious makeup, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh religious leaders will have a role in the coronation, a reflection of King Charles’ pledge to be a “defender of religions” rather than a “defender of the faith”.
The coronation ceremony is expected to be attended by 100 heads of state as well as members of the royal family, ranging from Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and his wife Kiko, to Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
The heir to the throne, Prince William, will kneel before his father and pledge his allegiance in what is known as a “blood royal tribute”.
Prince Harry will also attend his father’s coronation, just days before Harry’s first lawsuit against the British tabloid press could reveal more family secrets.
What is the significance of coronation?
The coronation is seen as an opportunity for King Charles to gain the support of the British people, after opinion polls showed support for the monarchy declining in recent years.
Although criticism of the Crown has been relatively muted in recent years out of respect for the Queen and her many decades of service to the country, there is likely to be more debate about whether Britain still needs a monarchy or whether it should become a republic with an elected head of state.
The leader of the anti-monarchist “Republic” group plans to have more than 1,000 yellow-clad protesters chant “Charles is not mine” as the royal motorcade passes by.
In turn, for the vast majority, the coronation will be an opportunity to celebrate being British, or to show their support for an institution that is a subject of fascination for many around the world.
Who pays the coronation bill?
The British people will foot the bill for the coronation. There is no official estimate yet of the actual cost of the ceremony. Some reports estimate that it could exceed 100 million pounds ($125 million).
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said on Tuesday that some of the estimates were “imaginary” and that the true cost would be shared later.
The celebration comes as Britain struggles to overcome a cost of living crisis that has left many struggling to heat their homes this winter and obtain food.
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