Long Live the King! It’s official – at 11:00am on Saturday (10pm NZ time), King Charles will be crowned in a regal ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London. He and Camilla will travel in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, accompanied by a procession of 200 members of the armed forces.
His sister, Princess Anne, will serve as the Gold Stick in Waiting, acting as a close protection officer for the day. In a recent CBS interview, Princess Anne revealed her role and joked that the role will solve her dress problems. She will also lead 6,000 armed services personnel through the streets of London as part of the Coronation Procession. Approximately 2,000 guests are expected to attend the service, including Prince George, King Charles’s oldest grandchild, who will carry the monarch’s robes.
Prince William, the heir to the British throne is set to pay homage to his father King Charles. Soon after King Charles is crowned through the ceremony, Prince William, will kneel before King Charles, place his hands between the hands of the King and say: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So, help me God.”
Prince Harry does not have a specific role, but he will be attending his father’s coronation without his wife Megan.
It has been revealed that King Charles will wear a heavy and priest-like golden robe during his coronation. His son, Prince William, will help put it on during the service. The King will wear several layers of glittering vestments, including a long shimmering gold-sleeved coat called the Supertunica and a floor-length cloak called the Imperial mantle or robe royal. Each part of his outfit has historic significance due to its sacred nature and its role in the coronation investiture.
After all the formality, the Coronation concert is set to feature an all-star lineup of high-profile entertainers, including the legendary Lionel Richie, pop sensation Katy Perry, and the beloved ’90s boy band Take That.
The theme of the Coronation concert is centred around love, respect, and optimism, perfectly capturing the spirit of the new reign. This historic occasion will be witnessed by many, as the last coronation took place 70 years ago. This will be a momentous occasion not just for the people of the UK, but also for the Commonwealth as a whole.
