Meeting with history today, 6 May, in London, where more than a million visitors flocked from all over the kingdom and beyond to take part incoronation of King Charles, 40th reigning monarch since 1066, and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey (here is the program of three days of celebrations). The rain that has flooded the city since this morning is not discouraging, as it happened on June 2, 1953 with Elizabeth II. At that time, Carlo was only 5 years old. Some still remember him, a slightly gloomy and slightly bored child, looking out from the balcony of Buckingham Palace with his sweet little sister Anna. Seventy years later, the eternal heir to the throne is finally ready for a ceremony that will be very different from his mother’s. First of all, in terms of numbers, no longer 8000 people, but only 2200, but also in terms of the multi-confessional and multi-confessional ecumenical spirit with representatives of the Anglican religion, but also the Catholic (before the Second Vatican Council, access to Westminster was not allowed after the separation of the two churches in 1553) , Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Sikh. And then a lot of crowned heads, like never before seen at a royal coronation, as well as many representatives of civil society, including volunteers who distinguished themselves during Covid.
The Diamond Jubilee state bus punctually passes through the gates of Buckingham Palace to the tune of “God Save the King” in the direction of Westminster along the wide tree-lined avenue of the shopping center to Admiralty Arch, continuing to Trafalgar Square and then along Whitehall. to Parliament Square. A clear journey (1.4 versts, against 5 versts of the deceased sovereign) between the wings of the crowds gathered in the night in order to secure a place for themselves and not to miss the procession, which was expected on the way back even more grandiose, aboard the historic (and more inconvenient) Golden Carriage. The British cavalry accompanied a carriage led by six white horses: a powerful and grandiose deployment. Meanwhile, Prince Harry, strictly in civilian clothes, crossed the threshold of the cathedral, between his cousin Eugenie with Jack Brooksbank and Beatrice with Count Mapelli Mozzi. Follow Princess Anne, resplendent in her uniform as the Golden Wand in The Waiting, the sovereign’s bodyguard, with husband Timothy Lawrence and the Dukes of Edinburgh and their children.
Holiday bells, heralds’ trumpets and the organ of Westminster Abbey signal the expected entry of Queen Camilla, followed by King Charles, who is greeted by representatives of the Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. They are followed by the Princes of Wales William and Kate with their children Charlotte and Louis. The ceremony begins, updated in some aspects in accordance with Carlo’s instructions, which will be divided into six moments: recognition, oath, anointing, consecration, coronation, enthronement and veneration. As evidence of the ecumenical nature and spirit of the inclusion of this event, reflecting the multiculturalism of an increasingly multi-ethnic and cosmopolitan country, Hindu Prime Minister Sunak read the Epistle to the Colossians. Meanwhile, ancient medieval hymns are interspersed with modern gospel songs, a sign of modernity that is imposing itself with all its urgency in a country that has not seen such ceremonies since World War II.
“I’m here to serve, not to be served.” This is the ritual formula with which the king, referring to the example of Jesus, “King of kings,” answers the child of the abbey choir who greeted him at the solemn liturgy. This is followed by a sermon by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who did not forget about the 850 commoners present at the ceremony, who distinguished themselves in recent years by volunteering and charity. This is followed by the moment of anointing with the holy oil vessel from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, the most intimate and sacred moment of the liturgy, which is actually obscured by a fabric screen reminiscent of the windows of Gothic churches and is a tree with 56 leaves, the symbol of the 56 members of the Commonwealth. The moment that connects the sovereign with God is solemn on notes Zadok Priest George Frideric Handel.
At this moment, the sovereign is dressed in a super tunic (clothing made of gold thread weighing 2 kg, which is both real and symbolizing his new duties). Charles gave himself to the throne to Edward Plantagenet, now there is a presentation of the crown jewels, insignia stored in the Tower of London, which represent the prerogatives of the king: spurs, the sword of proposal delivered to Charles, the sword of earthly justice, the sword of heavenly justice and blunt mercy. Then bracelets, a symbol of sincerity and wisdom, “a symbol of the protection of God, which embraces you from all sides.”
Source: Elle