Controversial Pledge Of Allegiance Slammed As Out Of Touch Amid Monarchy’s Declining Popularity

Topline

Viewers of the coronation will be invited to swear their allegiance to King Charles III, an unconventional gesture critics blasted as offensive amid the monarchy’s declining favorability and the coronation’s steep cost.

King Charles III in Scotland on October 3. (Photo by Kirsty O’Connor – Pool/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

Coronation organizers hope the pledge will form a “chorus of millions” declaring their allegiance to Charles, whose coronation is Saturday.

Viewers will be invited to state: “I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”

The pledge replaces the traditional “homage of peers” in which only the monarch’s heirs swear allegiance to the new king or queen.

A spokesperson for the Archbishop of Canterbury, who officiates the coronation, said the oath will be made possible because of “technological advances” that will allow people watching on television or streaming the ceremony to participate.

In response to public backlash, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the most senior Catholic clergyman in England, clarified to Sky News the pledge is “an invitation, it is not a command.”

British television presenter Jonathan Dimbleby, a friend of Charles, said the king would find the pledge “abhorrent” as he has “never wanted to be revered.”

Chief Critics

The pledge faced immediate backlash, including from the anti-monarchy organization Republic. In a statement, Republic called the pledge “offensive, tone deaf and a gesture that holds the people in contempt.” British journalist Sangita Myska created a poll on Twitter asking users if they planned to take part in the pledge of allegiance. Of the 98,000 voters, 93% said “no.” Some found the pledge offensive because the coronation carries a hefty price tag amid inflation and a cost of living crisis in the United Kingdom, Euro News reported. Estimates for the cost of the coronation range from $63 million to $125 million, paid for by Buckingham Palace and taxpayer funds, CNBC reported. Journalist Mary Riddell slammed the pledge on Twitter: “An absurdly overpaid monarchy and a weakening church should not dare to think themselves supreme.”

Contra

Though the costs are steep, the coronation is estimated to bring in plenty of revenue thanks to increased hotel occupancy, domestic travel and spending in pubs over the coronation weekend. The Centre for Economics and Business Research estimates a £337 million ($420 million) boost thanks to tourism and pub spending, while the VisitEngland tourism group estimates a much higher figure, a £1.2 billion ($1.5 billion) economic boost. London-based Hotelplanner.com estimates hotel occupancy could reach 95% during the coronation weekend.

Key Background

The pledge struck a nerve amid the monarchy’s declining popularity, particularly among young people. The National Centre for Social Research found in April record-low approval of the monarchy with just 29% of respondents deeming it “very important,” the lowest percentage since it started collecting data 40 years ago. Anti-monarchists, including Republic, plan to protest the coronation, and some have carried signs stating #NotMyKing at Charles’s public appearances throughout his reign.

Tangent

In another new addition to the coronation, which is a religious ceremony, Charles will read a pledge committing “to seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely,” rather than referencing just the traditional one faith, the Church of England The ceremony will also feature participation from Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh members of the House of Lords and other religious leaders to represent an increasingly diverse Britain.