On May 6, 2022, His Royal Highness Prince Charles will ascend to the British throne following the death of his beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth II. This historic moment will be marked by an elaborate coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, where the new king will be crowned with three ancient crowns and paraded through the streets of London in two ornate carriages. However, due to shortened route plans, the procession will be altered, making the crowning ceremony of King Charles III a unique and unforgettable event in British history.
Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles III will use a shorter procession route to Westminster Abbey for his coronation, opting for a plan which offers some modern touches and a more modest event. Despite a lower-key ceremony, the coronation will retain many ancient traditions and will feature royal regalia from the Crown Jewels. One departure from tradition indicates that Charles and Camilla, the queen consort, will ride in a horse-drawn carriage with improved suspension system, heating, power windows and air conditioning. They will pass by Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament, and a statue of Charles I, the monarch beheaded in 1649, before arriving for the 11am religious service.
Charles has demonstrated a determination to show that the monarchy is still relevant in modern, multi-cultural Britain, but has also expressed a desire to streamline the institution. The coronation is therefore expected to be shorter and less extravagant than the three-hour service which installed Queen Elizabeth II. Nonetheless, many of the priceless coronation regalia used for centuries will be used to crown both Charles and Camilla, including five symbolic swords, two sceptres and the Sovereign’s Ring of sapphire with a ruby cross set in diamonds.
Camilla, who will wear Queen Mary’s Crown, will hold a sceptre made of ivory, a move that has been deemed controversial by some. Britain has a near-total ban on trading elephant ivory products, and Prince William, heir to the throne and a committed conservationist, has campaigned against illegal animal part trafficking.
During the ceremony, conducted by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Charles will wear the St. Edward’s Crown, the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels which is viewed by millions of people every year at the Tower of London. His coronation as King and head of state is expected to be a shorter, less extravagant affair than that of his mother, although the two events will share much of the same symbolism and iconography.
The Imperial State Crown will then be used for the carriage procession back to the palace. Unlike the 5-mile-long route taken by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1953, Charles and Camilla will return in a 260-year-old carriage, used in every coronation since William IV’s in 1831. The Gold State Coach, weighing 8,800 pounds, and pulled by eight horses, is known for its notoriously rough ride. Three cheers from service members and troops on parade will greet Charles and Camilla at Buckingham Palace gardens.
According to Martin Oates, who helped restore the Gold State Coach and walks behind as the brake man: “When you’re following it, you can hear it creaking so it sounds like an old galleon going along. It’s not quite a washing machine, but where other vehicles just go from back to front, this is moving from side to side”. The gilded coach is so heavy that it can only move at walking pace, which should provide more time for people along the route to see the newly crowned king and queen.
A few more modern touches have been added to the coronation; it will feature its own bespoke emoji to reflect the first British crowning of the social media era. The St. Edward’s crown, which is the inspiration for the ‘coronation emoji’, features a 2.2-kilogram solid gold frame set with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnets, topazes and tourmalines, with a purple velvet cap and ermine band. When worn during Charles’ coronation, it will reflect the Royal Family’s ability to incorporate both ancient traditions and modern technology into the ceremony.
Overall, King Charles III’s coronation ceremony will combine traditional regalia and ancient ceremony with modern touches, as the monarchy seeks to remain relevant in twenty-first century Britain.
In conclusion, King Charles III’s coronation was a spectacular event that marked the beginning of a new era in the British monarchy. The three crowns worn by the King symbolized his authority and power, while the two carriages used for the procession added grandeur and pomp to the occasion. The decision to take a shorter route to Westminster Abbey meant that more people were able to witness and participate in the ceremony. It was an unforgettable moment in British history and a testament to the enduring traditions and pageantry of the monarchy. Long live the King!
