FORWARD-LOOKING MONARCHY | King Charles III takes his first steps as the newly crowned British monarch inside Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023. Outside the United Kingdom, he is also king of 14 other Commonwealth countries. (Agence France-Presse)
LONDON — Charles III on Saturday was crowned monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms after a lifetime as heir apparent to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Before a congregation of about 100 world leaders and a television audience of millions, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby — the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church — placed the 360-year-old St. Edward’s Crown on Charles’ head as the monarch sat upon a 14th-century throne in Westminster Abbey.
The historic, solemn event dates back to the time of the 74-year-old’s predecessor William the Conqueror in 1066.
After the crowning, Charles was acclaimed with shouts of “God save the king” both within Westminster Abbey and by large crowds gathered outside.
Charles’ second wife Camilla, 75, was also crowned by the Archbishop, in a ceremony which capped her public evolution from royal mistress to “queen consort” to queen in her own right.
Crisis, skepticism
While rooted in history, the coronation of the king and queen was also an attempt to present a forward-looking monarchy, with those involved in the service reflecting a more diverse Britain and leaders from all faiths.
For a nation struggling to find its way in the political maelstrom after its exit from the European Union and maintain its standing in a new world order, its supporters say the royal family provides an international draw, a vital diplomatic tool and a means of staying on the world stage.
“No other country could put on such a dazzling display—the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies and street parties,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
Yet the coronation also takes place amid a cost of living crisis and public skepticism, particularly among the young, about the role and relevance of the monarchy.
Although Saturday’s event was on a smaller scale than that staged for Queen Elizabeth in 1953, it still sought to be spectacular, featuring an array of historical regalia from golden orbs and bejeweled swords to a scepter holding the world’s largest colorless cut diamond.
‘Not my King’
Charles automatically succeeded his mother as king on her death last September, and the coronation is not essential but regarded as a means to legitimize the monarch in a public way.
The king and queen left Buckingham Palace for the abbey in the modern, black Diamond State Jubilee Coach accompanied by cavalrymen wearing shining breastplates and plumed helmets.
Hundreds of soldiers in scarlet uniforms and black bearskin hats lined the route along The Mall, the grand boulevard to Buckingham Palace.
Tens of thousands ignored the light rain to mass in a crowd more than 20 deep in some places to watch what some saw as a moment of history.
“The split second glance of seeing the king is really important but I think the whole day as well … the idea of the nation coming together. You very much feel the pride in the nation,” said Mark Strasshine after the royal coach went by.
But not all were there to cheer Charles, as hundreds of republicans booed and waved banners reading “Not My King.”
More than 11,000 police were deployed to stamp out any attempted disruption, and the Republic campaign group said its leader Graham Smith had been arrested along with five other protesters.
“It is an unequal and out of date system because it has a hereditary billionaire individual born into wealth and privilege who basically symbolizes the inequality of wealth and power in our society,” said lawmaker Clive Lewis, who was among the antimonarchy protesters.
Inside the abbey, bedecked with flowers and flags, politicians and representatives from Commonwealth nations took their seats alongside charity workers and celebrities, including actors Emma Thompson, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and US singer Katy Perry.
In and out
Much of the ceremony featured elements that Charles’ forebears right back to King Edgar in 973 would recognize, officials said.
Handel’s coronation anthem “Zadok The Priest” was sung as it has been at every coronation since 1727.
But there was also the new, including an anthem composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, famed for his West End and Broadway theater shows, and a gospel choir.
Charles’ grandson Prince George and Camilla’s grandchildren acted as pages.
But there was no formal role for either Charles’ younger son Prince Harry, after his high-profile falling out with his family, or his brother Prince Andrew, who was forced to quit royal duties because of his friendship with late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
They sat in the third row behind working members of the royal family.
Harry rejoined his family for the first time since subjecting them to a torrent of stinging criticism in his memoir “Spare” and in a series of television interviews, while Meghan has remained in California with the children, thereby avoiding potentially awkward interactions with her in-laws.
Netizens later noted that Harry was not among the members of the royal family who joined the new sovereigns in their final appearance on coronation day at the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
‘Losing interest’
After the service, Charles and Camilla departed in the four-tonne Gold State Coach built for George III, the last king of Britain’s American colonies, riding to Buckingham Palace in a one-mile procession of 4,000 military personnel from 39 nations.
It was the largest show of its kind in Britain since the coronation of Charles’ mother.
“When you see everyone dressed up and taking part, it is just fantastic. It makes you so proud,” said teacher Andy Mitchell, 63, who left his house in the early hours to get into London.
“My big concern is that younger people are losing interest in all of this and it won’t be the same in the future.”