The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla took place on 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London, marking the first British coronation in nearly 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II’s in 1953. The ceremony formalized Charles’s status as king after he acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Key Elements of the Coronation
Venue and Attendees
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Held at Westminster Abbey, the coronation was attended by dignitaries, representatives from the Church of England, the royal family, and invited guests from the UK and the Commonwealth realms.
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Tens of thousands of spectators lined the procession route, and the event was watched by an estimated global audience of two billion.
Ceremonial Structure
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The service was structured around an Anglican Holy Communion and included both ancient traditions and modern elements to reflect the diversity of the UK.
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The ceremony was shorter than previous coronations and included representatives of multiple faiths and communities.
Main Stages of the Ceremony
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Procession and Recognition: Charles and Camilla processed from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. The Archbishop of Canterbury presented Charles to the congregation, who responded, “God save the King!”.
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Oath: Charles swore to uphold the law, justice, and the Church of England, and signed a written form of the oath.
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Anointing: The King was anointed with holy oil, using the historic Coronation Spoon and Ampulla, in a private moment shielded from cameras to emphasize its sacredness.
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Investiture and Crowning: Charles was presented with the coronation regalia, including the Sovereign’s Orb and two sceptres, symbolizing his temporal and spiritual authority. He was then crowned with St Edward’s Crown, accompanied by fanfares, bell ringing, and gun salutes across the UK.
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Enthronement and Homage: Charles moved to the throne, where the Archbishop of Canterbury and Prince William pledged allegiance. For the first time, the public was also invited to swear allegiance.
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Coronation of Queen Camilla: Camilla was anointed, crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown, and enthroned beside the King. Her ceremony was simpler and shorter, and she did not take an oath.
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Holy Communion: The King and Queen received Holy Communion, concluding the religious portion of the service.
Procession and Balcony Appearance
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After the service, the royal family returned to Buckingham Palace in a grand state procession and appeared on the palace balcony for a Royal Air Force flypast.
Notable Features
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The ceremony incorporated new elements, such as the public invitation to pledge allegiance, and reflected the UK’s multicultural society.
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The anointing oil was specially consecrated in Jerusalem and was free of animal products.
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The event was the most watched UK television broadcast of 2023.
In summary, the coronation of Charles III blended centuries-old tradition with modern inclusivity, formally establishing him and Camilla as the monarch and queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms