Coronation of King Charles III
On May 6, 2023, the coronation of King Charles, who succeeded the late Queen Elizabeth and ascended the throne last fall, took place. King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London. This was the 40th coronation held at the Abbey, where a blend of tradition and new attempts were realised in this historic moment.
Following tradition, King Charles, wearing the Crown of St. Edward, pledged to his people and the world at this coronation, just like his predecessors. As a new attempt, for example, after the investiture, everyone in the Abbey and watching the broadcast could pledge allegiance to the king as part of "the people's acclamation." For the first time, leaders from different Christian denominations, such as the Catholic Church, participated in the blessings. At King Charles' coronation, tradition and new attempts were combined, and the efforts towards Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) were emphasised.
As a new attempt, after the investiture, everyone in the Abbey and watching the broadcast could pledge allegiance to the king as part of "the people's acclamation." Modernised aspects of the coronation were evident, such as the current British Prime Minister, a devout Hindu, Rishi Sunak, reading from the Bible, and a choir composed solely of Black singers. Additionally, for the first time, leaders from different Christian denominations, such as the Catholic Church, participated in the blessings, demonstrating the British royal family's recognition of the importance of DEI and their concrete practice. This signifies that efforts to promote interfaith harmony and build a tolerant society are bearing fruit.
At this coronation, people of various cultures, ethnicities, genders, and age groups also attended, creating an integrated celebration. For example, music and dance performances symbolising diverse cultures were showcased, reflecting not only traditional British culture but also the diversity of British society. Through such efforts, the British royal family strengthens its connection with the people and the world, becoming a more widely accepted presence. The DEI efforts in this coronation indicate that King Charles' reign values DEI and understands that these factors are essential for the nation's development.
Queen Camilla, who witnessed her husband King Charles' coronation, also received a holy anointing with oil, was given a crown, and sat on the throne. The crown made for Queen Mary, wife of George V, was adjusted in shape and size to fit Queen Camilla's head, and the "Cullinan III," "Cullinan IV," and "Cullinan V" diamonds, cut from the world's largest diamond rough, were reset. The crown given to Queen Camilla was not the "Koh-i-Noor" (a 106-carat Indian diamond, allegedly looted from India during colonial times), but rather the crown of Mary, a 16th-century Scottish queen, made from gems in Queen Elizabeth II's private collection.
In the parade back to Buckingham Palace, the royal couple rode in the "Gold State Coach," made in 1761. This carriage has been used at every British royal coronation since the 1831 coronation of William IV. About 4,000 members of the British military participated, making it the largest military-involved ceremony in decades.
It is customary for the new king to greet the people gathered on The Mall (the street connecting Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square) from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. King Charles and Queen Camilla followed this tradition and stood on the balcony. The late Queen Elizabeth had been deeply respected at home and abroad as the face of Britain, fulfilling her symbolic duties as a monarch. On the other hand, there are doubts about King Charles' suitability as a monarch, given his ascension at the age of 73, making him the oldest in British history, and his past controversies. A public opinion poll released last week about the coronation showed that 64% of respondents were indifferent, with "not particularly interested" and "not interested at all," especially among younger generations. In another survey, while 58% of people supported the monarchy, 45% felt that the king was disconnected from the people's will. Groups advocating for the abolition of the monarchy protested near the parade, revealing divisions within the country. The national absolute poverty rate has increased from 17.2% in 2022 to 18.3%, and the lavish parade might generate resentment among the struggling population. However, it is essential to maintain historical and traditional ties in a monarchical system, both domestically and internationally. At the same time, it is important to consider whether this is the right thing to do, as the younger generation is becoming more distant from the royal family, anti-monarchy voices are growing louder, and criticisms about the anachronism of the coronation are increasing.
