The British royal family begins a new chapter on Saturday with the coronation of King Charles III.
The pageantry, pageantry and symbolism have more than 1,000 years of history, although the coronation of this king will include new touches of tradition and changes compared to the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, 70 years ago.
Plans for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey show a more discreet act than the previous one, although royals from other countries, heads of state and most of Carlos’s family will attend, and the monarch wants to wear these clothes what did Isabel wear?
Here are some keys to the coronation.
Why a coronation if Carlos is already king?
Charles automatically ascended the throne on Elizabeth’s death on September 8, and was officially proclaimed British monarch two days later, in a ceremony televised for the first time.
Carlos said that he was “deeply aware of this great heritage and the duties and great responsibilities of sovereignty that are now conferred on me.”
Coronation is not a legal requirement, and other European monarchies have eliminated these ceremonies.
But the act, filled with religious symbolism and iconic artifacts, is a more formal confirmation of his role as head of state and the Anglican Church, and was meant to show that the monarch’s authority comes from God.
During the ceremony led by the Church’s spiritual leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Charles will be anointed with oil, receive the traditional symbols of the monarch – including the orb and scepter – and will wear the crown of Saint Edward for the first time. . Carlos’s wife, Camilla, will be crowned queen consort.
What will be different from the previous coronation?
The ceremony dates back to the medieval era, and much of it remains unchanged.
The ceremony has been held at Westminster Abbey since William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066.
Elizabeth II’s coronation in June 1953 was the first to be televised live. Tens of thousands of people watched it in Britain and it was later broadcast to a global audience. In the age of streaming and social media, people will be able to follow the event live from virtually anywhere on the planet and share their thoughts with a crown emoji created for the occasion.
Carlos said that he plans to reduce the volume of the institution. The day is expected to reflect that goal with a shorter ceremony than her mother’s, which lasted three hours, with 2,000 participants, a quarter of those who gathered for Elizabeth’s coronation.
In a nod to the evolving religious landscape in the UK, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh religious leaders will take part. This reflects Carlos’ promise to “defend their faith” instead of “defending the faith”.
The post-ceremony procession will also be shorter than the 5-mile (8-kilometer) route Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, followed in 1953. Carlos and Camila plan to make a 1.3-mile (2-kilometer) trip back to Buckingham Palace, changing the car that will take them to the church – a 260-year-old carriage used in every coronation since William IV in 1831 – for the comfort of a more modern carriage on the return journey.
Who is invited?
A hundred heads of state are expected to attend, along with monarchs from Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and his wife Kiko to Spain’s King Felipe VI and his wife, Queen Letizia.
The United States will maintain its custom that no president attends a British coronation, although the first lady, Jill Biden, will attend.
William, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, is scheduled to kneel before his father and swear the so-called Royal Blood Tribute.
His younger brother Prince Harry, the disgruntled Duke of Sussex, is not expected to miss the service. His controversial autobiography, “Spare,” which became a bestseller this year, made unflattering claims about the royal family.
Until three weeks ago, it was in doubt whether Harry and his wife, Meghan, would attend the event after accusations of racism and media manipulation were made against the royal family.
Although Harry will attend, the Duchess will stay at the couple’s home in Southern California with their two young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The coronation comes just days before the first of Harry’s lawsuits against British tabloids goes to trial. The case could reveal more family secrets.
During a hearing in a similar case last week, Harry indicated in court documents that Buckingham Palace, with the Queen’s approval, had an agreement with Rupert Murdoch’s English newspapers to settle the allegations without a lawsuit. Enrique said the palace staff instructed him to withdraw his suit because his father wanted to gain favor with the press.
The family drama did not end there. Charles’ brother, Prince Andrew, was also not expected to play any role in the ceremony. Andrés resigned from his official duties and was stripped of his military titles and patronage following revelations about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrés settled a lawsuit with a woman who said he was forced to have sex with her when she was a teenager.
What is the importance of the coronation?
Opinion polls show that support for the monarchy has weakened in recent years and this is an opportunity for Carlos to seek and show public sympathy.
Crowds are expected to line the streets to cheer on the new king and many will be waiting outside Buckingham Palace for his appearance on the balcony after the procession.
While criticism of the crown has been relatively mild in recent years out of respect for the queen and her decades of service to the country, there is likely to be a more open debate going forward about whether Britain still needs this ancient institution or if it should become a republic with an elected head of state.
The leader of the anti-monarchist group the Republic has announced that they expect to bring more than 1,000 protesters dressed in yellow who will shout “He is not my king” as the royal procession passes.
However, for the vast majority it will be an opportunity to celebrate their British identity or express their support for an institution that fascinates so many people around the world.
The streets will be draped with British flags, spectators will be dressed in red, white and blue and military planes will fly over the city leaving trails of national colours. The pomp and circumstance of the ceremony is also a reminder of the time when Britain was the most powerful country in the world.
Who pays for the celebration?
The public covers the cost of the coronation. There is no official estimate of how much it might cost. Some reports estimate that it could exceed 100 million pounds (125 million dollars).
The event comes amid a painful cost of living crisis in the country that has left many struggling to heat their homes this winter and put food on the table.
But many people will be able to benefit from the festivities.
Officials expect there will be an increase in tourism, and commemorative crown events and products abound that could trigger additional sales tax revenue.
Fans who want to remember the historic landmark will be able to find everything from fine china to commemorative coins or even cardboard masks of Carlos and Camila. Coronation beer, cookies and chocolate are likely to be quickly forgotten.
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