The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coronation of King Charles III
What to know about May 6 ceremonies in London
Prince Charles became king the moment his mother took her last breath at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. There was a ceremony for him two days after Elizabeth II’s death in September. But that was a somber bit of business conducted by the Accession Council. The “coronation” is the big show, in which the 74-year-old Charles III will be crowned before 2,000 guests at Westminster Abbey and paraded through the streets of London in an over-the-top show of British pageantry.
What is a coronation?
For the British in 2023, it is a mashup of monarchy, state and church. It is televised spectacle-meets-power-projecting ritual with a generous dose of religion. The coronation imbues the king and his wife, now Queen Camilla, with legitimacy. The royals are promising a shorter, scaled-down event, but they are still going to bring the pomp, big time. Cue the golden carriage! “The Coronation is a solemn religious service, together with an occasion for celebration and pageantry,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement. “The ceremony has retained a similar structure for over a thousand years, and this year’s Coronation is expected to include the same core elements while recognizing the spirit of our times.”
What time is the coronation?
The service at Westminster Abbey in London will begin at 11 a.m. London time (6 a.m. Eastern time) on May 6, a Saturday — eight months after the funeral of Elizabeth II, whom Charles called “my darling mama.” The service, along with the parades to and from the abbey, will run for several hours. The king and queen will also appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with “working royals” and other family members. (Which ones? Read on.) The British media notes that this is the first time a coronation is happening on a weekend since 1902, when Edward VII was crowned. Britons will enjoy a four-day “knees-up” holiday weekend, which will include music concerts, street parties, afternoon teas and the consumption of a vast number of pints.
Who has received a coronation invitation?
More than 2,000 invitations have been sent, the palace tells us. This is a modest guest list in comparison with that for Elizabeth II, who invited 8,000 to attend her do in 1953. They had to erect grandstands inside the abbey for that one. The guests of Charles and Camilla include 850 people from community and charity organizations from across Britain. Four hundred of them will be young people, who will view the service from next door, at St. Margaret’s Church. The list of attendees is not yet fully known but is likely to feature various British celebrities, business titans and knighted creatives. Also to attend are Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other heads of government and state from around the globe, including leaders of Commonwealth nations. The White House informs us that President Joe Biden will not be there, but first lady Jill Biden will attend on behalf of the president. Will the disgraced Prince Andrew venture into the abbey? That is unknown, according to royal correspondents. Representatives of 168 countries, plus 18 monarchs, 55 presidents and 25 prime ministers attended Elizabeth’s funeral last year.
Are Prince Harry and Meghan going to the coronation?
Yes and no. Prince Harry RSVP’d that he will attend his father’s coronation, says Buckingham Palace. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is staying home with their children in California. Prince Archie turns 4 on the same day. How large a role Harry will play is unknown. Will he wear his military garb and all his medals? Probably not. He and Meghan surrendered their roles as “senior working royals” before moving to the United States. Might Harry and his brother, William, find it in themselves to hug it out? In his memoir, “Spare,” Harry recounts their father pleading: “Please, boys, don’t make my final years a misery.” But public perception of Charles as king took a hit after the release of the book and of Harry and Meghan’s six-hour self-produced Netflix documentary. And Charles and William have refused to respond to any of Harry’s claims, including that their staffs actively fed negative stories about the Sussexes to the media mob. The tabloids are likely to hire lip readers and experts on body language. So, more to come, we are sure, on the family’s ongoing drama.
Will Camilla be crowned queen?
This will be Camilla’s coronation, too. Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was more of a solo act. Her husband, Philip, helped organize the day’s events and knelt at the feet of the newly crowned queen, proclaiming himself to be “your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship.” But queen consorts — in contrast with the male consorts of female British sovereigns — are crowned alongside their kings. Although the royal family website continues to call her “the Queen Consort,” the coronation invitation referred to “Queen Camilla,” and it’s possible she may drop the consort part of the title on and after Coronation Day.
What is the coronation regalia?
The coronation regalia is made up of objects usually on display as part of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London and helps give the British monarchy in the 21st century its air of longevity and power. The bling includes three crowns, an orb, scepters, spurs, golden bracelets, two maces, two rings and five swords, according to Buckingham Palace. Charles will be anointed with holy oil held in a gold ampulla and then doled out with the silver-gilt Coronation Spoon, first recorded in 1349 and used in the anointing of King James I in 1603 and at every coronation since. The 362-year-old St. Edward’s Crown, a whopper weighing almost 5 pounds, is made of solid gold bedecked with 444 precious and semiprecious stones. Charles will trade it out for the lighter Imperial State Crown before leaving the abbey. Camilla will recycle the crown Queen Mary wore at the coronation in 1911 and not the crown showcasing the fabled Koh-i-Noor diamond, one of the world’s largest and most controversial gems, said by folklore to be cursed and by India to have been purloined.
What is the coronation procession route?
The 1.3-mile procession route will take Charles and Camilla from Buckingham Palace, along the Mall, through Admiralty Arch, turning right onto Whitehall, continuing on to Parliament Square and arriving at Westminster Abbey. The pair will roll to the abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, created for Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate the 60th anniversary of her reign. The gilded crown atop the carriage was carved from oak from HMS Victory, a 104-gun ship of the line of the Royal Navy that was launched in 1765 and was badly damaged in the Battle of Trafalgar. The coach has air conditioning, electric windows and modern suspension. The parade after the ceremony will reverse the earlier route, curtailing the more circuitous 5-mile journey Elizabeth took. On the return trip, the couple will ride in the Gold State Coach, first used by George III in 1672. This carriage is a beast — notoriously uncomfortable — and so heavy at 4 tons it must be drawn not by six, but eight, Windsor Greys, at walking pace.
Who is performing at the coronation concert?
A televised concert will take place the next evening, May 7, at Buckingham Palace and will feature Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and the 1990s pop group from Manchester called Take That, once a boy band but all grown now, with a string of hits, including “Rule the World.” Also in the lineup: The Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and the Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel. More acts may be announced.
What are popular coronation souvenirs?
The Royal Collection is selling all sorts of souvenirs at the royal residences and online. The collectibles include “The Coronation Tankard,” “The Coronation Tea Towel” and “The Coronation Grey Socks.” Many British retailers have gotten in on the coronation racket, too. Memorabilia on offer includes Emma Bridgewater mugs, Fortnum and Mason tea tins, silk scarves from Liberty and from Harrods, a coronation teddy bear from John Lewis and, for those hosting parties, coronation bunting and “gin in a tin.” Auctioneers warn that it is rare for collectors to make much on royal commemorative items, especially memorabilia that has been mass-produced. The exception is for items that were actually owned or used by members of the royal family -- items such as Queen Victoria’s underwear.
Where can I watch the coronation?
In Britain, for those who do not want to join the crowds thronging the Mall, the BBC and other broadcasters will provide live coverage. U.S. news networks are planning extensive programming, too.