Formally crowned today, King Charles III marked a historic first Coronation in 70 years.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, conducted the coronation at Westminster Abbey in London.
Surrounded by the symbolic regalia, King Charles was seated in the Coronation Chair and held the Sceptre with Cross in his right, gloved hand alongside the Sceptre with Dove in his left hand, as he was crowned with the historic St. Edward’s Crown, worn exclusively during the ceremony since 1661.
The crowning was followed by the chiming of the bells at Westminster Abbey for two minutes. King Charles was then escorted from the Coronation Chair to the throne.
Prior to the crowning, King Charles received the ceremonial regalia.
He was first presented with the spurs, symbolizing knighthood, followed by the Sword of Offering, two armills made of gold (known as “bracelets of sincerity and wisdom”), the Coronation Orb, representing the medieval Christian world, and the Sovereign’s Ring, a symbol of commitment that is not worn during the ceremony.
Following this, Charles was presented with the coronation glove, the same one worn by his mother during her coronation, symbolizing his role as advocate and challenger for the protection of the people. He was then given the sovereign’s sceptre with cross, representing the sovereign’s temporal power, and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove, representing the sovereign’s spiritual role.
Prior to the ceremony, Charles swore on the Bible, taking the oath: ‘I, Charles, do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God profess, testify, and declare that I am a faithful Protestant, and that I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the throne, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my powers according to law.’
Attending the ceremony were members of his family, with a 2,300-strong congregation. Notably, Prince Harry sat in the third row, apart from Prince William, his wife, children, and other working royals.
A personalized prayer, embodying the theme of ‘loving service,’ was composed for the King, inspired in part by the hymn I Vow To Thee My Country.
The prayer expressed: ‘God of compassion and mercy, grant that I may be a blessing to all thy children, of every faith and belief, that together we may discover the ways of gentleness and be led into the paths of peace; through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.’
