Topline
King Charles III has arrived to central London’s Westminster Abbey ahead of his imminent crowning Saturday—a moment he has prepared for his entire life—as thousands of church guests and millions of watchers around Britain and the world await the biggest ceremonial event the nation has put on in 70 years.
Britain’s King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, leave Buckingham Palace in the Diamond … [+]
Key Facts
Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, were greeted by fanfare and the Abbey’s ringing bells as they arrived to the ceremony.
The monarchs, both in ceremonial dress, waved to the crowds during an opulent procession along the Mall lined by thousands of supporters—the scene will be familiar to viewers who witnessed the procession of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral eight months ago.
Central London was blanketed by distinctly British gray clouds and a light drizzle as Charles’ procession from Buckingham Palace to the Abbey got underway.
Thousands of guests, including Prince Harry and other members of the royal family, foreign presidents and charity workers, awaited the new monarch in the Abbey, which has been the site of coronations for nearly 1,000 years.
Faith leaders representing communities across Britain—including Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Buddhist—are also in attendance, a historic move that represents Charles’ desire to make the British monarch’s job as “defender of the faith” more inclusive.
Police arrested several anti-monarchy demonstrators in Trafalgar Square on Saturday morning, part of the Republic campaign group protesting the ceremony’s reported cost—estimates vary, but the BBC puts it at up to $126 million (£100 million)—and calling for a public vote on the future of the monarchy.
Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, left, arrives with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Britain’s King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, on the way to the coronation ceremony in … [+]
French President Emmanuel Macron and French President’s wife Brigitte Macron are among the guests
Camilla, the Queen Consort, traveled in the Diamond Jubilee Coach alongside her husband
Britain’s former prime minister Boris Johnson is in attendance
US First Lady Jill Biden arrived at Westminster Abbey earlier
Well-wishers line the route of the ‘King’s Procession’, a two kilometres stretch from Buckingham … [+]
Supporters of the Republic pressure group protest against the coronation on the edge of Trafalgar … [+]
Key Background:
Saturday’s ceremony caps off months of preparation and anticipation over how Charles’ would mark his day. His coronation is relatively scaled back compared with his mother’s: as well as fewer guests, his procession to the Abbey was shorter, while the ceremony featured a gospel choir. But it also reflects the causes Charles has championed while in waiting—and the type of monarch he hopes to be. As well as the expansion of the “defender of the faiths” role, Charles’ environmental campaigning is being marked by the U.K. government creating new woodland and committing funding to tree planting in honor or the coronation. Guests from more than 200 countries attended Saturday’s ceremony, which was more diverse than previous coronations. As the first coronation of the social media age, the Royal Family Twitter account posted updates of the event all morning. Yet, tradition remained front and center, with Charles being crowned with the priceless St Edward’s Crown, which dates back more than 360 years, along with other long-established elements of coronations dating back to 1066.
Big Number
2,000. That’s how many guests—including Royal Family members, world leaders, royals from around the world and ambassadors of charities handpicked by the British royals—will attend the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. That’s about a quarter the number of guests who watched Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Today’s guest list had been a source of great speculation, particularly as to whether Prince Harry would attend. He is, but without wife Meghan Markle and his children. Thousands more royal supporters from across the world are expected to line the streets around central London.
Contra
Despite the overwhelming coverage, Union Jack bunting lining the streets and party preparation across Britain, many are apathetic. The extravagance of the event stands in sharp contrast to a backdrop of high inflation, rising household bills and a cost of living crisis. Around 60% of Britons support the monarchy’s future, while a quarter want an elected head of state, according to a recent YouGov poll. A plurality (35%) of people polled by YouGov last month said they cared “not very much” about the coronation. Anti-monarchy protests are taking place in Trafalgar Square, less than a mile from Westminster Abbey.
Further Reading
King Charles’ Coronation: How To Watch It In The U.S. And When It Starts (Forbes)
King Charles’ Coronation: Here’s Who’s Attending, Who’s Skipping And Who Never Was Invited (Forbes)
King Charles III’s ‘People Of All Faiths’ Pledge: Why They’ve Introduced New Inclusive Language As More Crown Critics Emerge (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/isabeltogoh/2023/05/06/king-charles-iiis-coronation-prince-harry-arrives-to-westminster-abbey-as-new-monarch-greets-crowds-on-way-to-ceremony/