Like many of us, on the evening of Saturday 6 May, I will spend time watching the coronation of their majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla on television. Many of us will not be able to remember the last coronation of a British Monarch. Either we weren’t born or not old enough to remember – over 90% of the world’s population had not been born when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953. Those of us who were born could not watch the service on television in Australia. It would be another three years until Bruce Gyngell uttered those timeless words “Good evening, and welcome to television”. The decision to broadcast Queen Elizabeth’s coronation was directly responsible for the dramatic increase in the number of televisions sold in the United Kingdom.
On the morning of Saturday 6 May, the King and Queen will take part in the King’s Procession from Buckingham palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Despite appearances, this coach is made largely of aluminium, is heated and air conditioned, and has electric windows. The Golden State Coach that will be used for the return journey, ‘The Coronation Procession’ has no such comforts, rudimentary suspension and is regarded as a very uncomfortable means of transport.
Throughout the world, the coronation will be celebrated in many and various ways. A special coronation recipe has been devised for all the English coronation gatherings. Coronation Quiche will take the place of Coronation Chicken as the dish to be served at all the best street parties throughout Britain (The recipe may be found at www.royal.uk/coronation-quiche-0 for anyone who wishes to make their own). I suspect that Coronation Chicken sandwiches will also be found at many of these events.
In contrast to the spontaneity and informality of most coronation celebrations, the coronation ceremony is one that is steeped in history and tradition and takes place within the framework of an Anglican service of Holy Communion. The conducting of the ceremony in Westminster Abbey, the framework of the communion service, the invocation “God save the King” and other aspects of the coronation all point to the understanding that, although the King is sovereign Lord over the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, he is God’s servant.
The coronation of King Charles, like that of his mother, will be broadcast live. It is expected to be one of the most watched television events in history. As with the previous coronation, one part of the service will not be filmed, the anointing of the King with oil prior to the crown being placed upon his head. Considered by many to be the most solemn and sacred part of the event, the anointing with oil signifies the setting apart of the monarch for their sacred duty.
Although many parts of the ceremony will be identical to preceding coronations, there will be some differences. In keeping with King Charles’ wishes there has been an increase in the number of people who have been recognised for their services to the community, especially service in recent years. Almost half of the 2,000 people invited to witness the coronation in Westminster Abbey are representatives of various community groups and charitable organisations.
One quote about the coronation above all others has stuck in my mind. It was widely rumoured that the anointing with oil would be televised, along with the rest of the service. The decision to not televise this part of the service was made by the King himself. It is reported that the king is very mindful of his relationship with God and the sacred aspect of his role. As we watch the coronation of the King and Queen, perhaps partaking in a slice of Coronation Quiche or enjoying a Coronation Chicken sandwich, let us all take the time to consider our place before God and ask how we might be of service to him and the community in which we live.
Yours in Christ,
Andrew Heron
