Charles III has been crowned as the King of the United Kingdom and the other 14 Commonwealth realms. Charles III is the firstborn child to her mother Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

King Charles and his wife Camilla were crowned as the rulers of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth states on May 6, 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Charles succeeded was the first in line to the throne after his mother, Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022.

The coronation event called for celebrations and demonstrations in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth nations. Celebrations like street gatherings, community service projects, special church services, and performances at Windsor Castle occurred.

However, not just the celebration, there were also protests by the Republican group. A total of 64 people were detained as a result of 64 Republican group protests. Likewise, this drew disapproval from human rights organizations.

However, the Commonwealth realms of Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand had their own festivities. However, some Indigenous organizations and other nations used the occasion to highlight problems related to British colonization.

The Crowning Event

Charles III participated in a secret part of the service at the historic event at Westminster Abbey in London, adding to the dramatic flare. The Dean of Westminster poured holy oil upon the Coronation Spoon from the Ampulla, a magnificent flask in the shape of a golden eagle, which surrounded him on three sides. The Archbishop of Canterbury anointed Charles on his head, breast, and hands after the Church of England’s approved liturgy, signifying the spiritual import of his position.

Likewise, the Coronation Spoon is a magnificent antique that was created in the 12th century. The antique was embellished with silver gilt, which is unique in that it is the earliest object used in coronations. The Choir of Westminster Abbey was filled with the magnificent tones of George Frideric Handel’s Zadok the Priest. This timeless hymn was originally written for the coronation of King George II in 1727 when this rite took place. It has since been played faithfully at each and every British coronation.

Similarly, Charles III received the famous St. Edward’s Crown from Archbishop Justin Welby, leader of the Church of England, in a unique act that won’t happen again during his reign. The crown was made especially for Charles II in 1661 and is only used at the coronation of a new monarch. Following this, Archbishop Welby cried out, God Save the King! in agreement with the gathered audience.

After a short while, Camilla’s turn came and she too was crowned. In contrast to Charles’s concealed anointing, the excited crowd saw the Archbishop of Canterbury anoint her clearly with holy oil. After the anointing, Camilla’s head was gently draped with Queen Mary’s Crown. It is an exquisite representation of royal power, to represent her status as Charles III’s consort.

Prince Harry is Back From the US for the Ceremony

Prince Harry witnessed his father’s coronation in London. He made a brief trip back to the UK. He then immediately took a flight back to California, where he lives with his wife and kids. The Duke of Sussex boarded a commercial airplane once the coronation ritual was over and landed at Los Angeles International Airport.

Following the Westminster Abbey service, Prince Harry was not invited to join the family on the Buckingham Palace balcony. However, the crowned king and the queen welcomed their kids. The palace has become commonplace for royal occasions to include the balcony moment. Likewise, this moment is usually followed by a flypast by the Royal Air Force. Prince Andrew was not on the balcony either.

For the event, Prince Harry was decked out with medals and wearing a morning suit. Likewise, he sat next to Prince Andrew in the third row throughout the service. however, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew were not performing any formal royal obligations during the ceremony.

Also, Prince Harry did not walk in the lengthy cortege returning to the palace with the rest of his family. Instead, immediately after the ceremony was over, he drove away from the abbey by himself. According to reports, Prince Harry arrived back in London on Friday while his wife Meghan stayed behind to spend their son Archie’s fourth birthday in California.

Before the coronation, there was a rumor about whether he will attend the ceremony or not. Proving the speculations wrong, he attended the event. He attended the ceremony alone. Even though, he is not granted any royal facilities, his royal titles are still retained.

Elizabeth II’s Monarch Before Charles III

Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was the prior monarch Queen before Charles III. Talking about the prior queen, she joined the British Army’s Auxiliary Territorial Service. Likewise, she joined the women’s division and was actively contributing to the war effort during the Second World War.

Similarly, Elizabeth completed driving and mechanic training. Furthermore, she secretly joined the happy throng in London on VE Day to commemorate the end of the war, together with her sister Margaret. Later, she wed Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was her cousin. The couple had four kids: Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward.

Tragically, Elizabeth’s father King George VI died leaving her the throne. Likewise, her 1953 coronation was notable for being the first to be broadcast on television. This basically increased the popularity of the medium and caused the number of television licenses in the United Kingdom to double. Also, her grandson Prince William’s royal wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011 added to the prestige of the British monarchy and captivated spectators both at home and abroad. As the country commemorated Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, marking her 60 years as monarch, 2012 marked a momentous milestone.

On September 9, 2015, Elizabeth II became Britain’s longest-serving queen. Sadly, Queen Elizabeth II passed away in Balmoral on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96. She celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, making her the longest-reigning queen in British history thanks to her amazing reign.

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