The Coronation of King Charles III: A Historic Day of Celebration and Controversy

On 6 May 2023, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were crowned as the sovereigns of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms at Westminster Abbey. The coronation was a momentous occasion that marked the beginning of a new era for the monarchy and the nation. It was also a day of mixed emotions, as millions of people celebrated the new king and queen, while others protested against the institution and its costs.The Ceremony

The Ceremony

The coronation ceremony was based on an Anglican service of Holy Communion, with some modifications to reflect the diversity of faiths, cultures, and communities across the United Kingdom. The ceremony began at 11:00 BST, with King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving at Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, accompanied by a procession of dignitaries, regalia bearers, and members of the royal family

The king wore a red velvet robe of state over trousers, rather than the traditional breeches and silk stockings worn by previous kings. He also wore a purple velvet mantle over a gold-coloured tunic. The queen wore a white satin dress with gold embroidery and a matching mantle. She also wore a diamond tiara and necklace that belonged to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

The ceremony included several symbolic acts, such as the king taking an oath to uphold the laws and customs of his realms, being anointed with holy oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and receiving the coronation regalia, which consisted of a crown, a sceptre, an orb, a ring, a sword, and a pair of spurs. The queen was also crowned in a shorter and simpler ceremony, receiving a rod, a sceptre, and a crown of her own

The ceremony featured music selected by the king, with 12 newly commissioned pieces, including one by Andrew Lloyd Webber. There was also Greek Orthodox music in memory of the king’s father, Prince Philip. The ceremony was attended by more than 2,200 guests from 203 countries, including heads of state, prime ministers, governors general, faith leaders, representatives from some Commonwealth countries, and members of the armed forces

The Celebrations

After the ceremony, the king and queen travelled back to Buckingham Palace in a state procession along a route lined with thousands of cheering spectators. They were followed by other members of the royal family in carriages and cars. At Buckingham Palace, they appeared on both the rear and front balconies to greet the crowds and watch a flypast by the Royal Air Force

The coronation was also celebrated across the United Kingdom and beyond with various events and activities. These included street parties, volunteering projects, special commemorative church services, and a concert at Windsor Castle on 7 May featuring Lionel Richie as the headline act. The concert was attended by about 10,000 people who won tickets through a public ballot. Richie played some of his hit songs such as “Easy (Like Sunday Morning)” and “All Night Long (All Night)”, and got up and danced with some members of the royal family.

The coronation was also broadcast live on television and online platforms around the world, reaching an estimated audience of hundreds of millions of people. In the UK alone, it had a peak TV audience of 20.4 million viewers on BBC One. It was also widely discussed on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram.

The Controversies

However, not everyone was happy about the coronation or its costs. Some republican groups staged protests in London and other cities to voice their opposition to the monarchy and call for its abolition. They argued that the monarchy was outdated, undemocratic, expensive, and irrelevant to modern society. They also criticised the government for spending millions of pounds on security and infrastructure for the coronation while cutting public services and welfare benefits.

Some of these protests turned violent or disruptive, leading to clashes with police officers and arrests of some demonstrators. Human Rights Watch condemned the police for using excessive force and violating the rights of peaceful protesters. Some protesters also attempted to disrupt or sabotage some aspects of the coronation ceremony or celebrations, such as throwing paint or eggs at carriages or buildings.

The coronation also sparked debates in some other Commonwealth realms where Charles became king as well. Some governments and indigenous groups used the occasion to express their republican sentiments or demand reparatory justice for historical injustices committed by Britain or its monarchy. Some polls suggested that support for republicanism had increased in some countries such as Australia or Canada after Charles’s accession.

Conclusion

The coronation of King Charles III was a historic day that marked the beginning of his reign as king of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms. It was also a day that showcased the traditions, diversity, and achievements of his realms. However, it was also a day that exposed some of the challenges and controversies that he faces as monarch in a changing world.