The Important Details of King Charles's Coronation Have Been Revealed
King Charles recently ascended the throne following his mother Queen Elizabeth’s death—and while he became King of England the moment she passed away, his coronation hasn't taken place yet. That said, it's been planned for years because the British royals are very on top of things. According to the Daily Mail, there are “binders and binders” of paperwork on Charles’s coronation ceremony, which has been code-named with the not-at-all extra and over-the-top “Operation Golden Orb.” It sounds like the name of a YA book series, but let’s go with it!
“It’s very complex,” a source told the Daily Mail back in February 2022. “The Golden Orb committee used to meet twice a year, but now they’re meeting much more frequently, sometimes once a month. Compared to the last coronation, there will be a lot less fuss. Last time, special green chairs were commissioned and guests were able to have them delivered to their homes afterward. You won’t see that sort of thing this time.”
While the palace has denied those specifics (saying, “There are no plans of this nature at this stage”), we do have a good idea of what Charles’s coronation will look like. Mostly, and somewhat ironically, thanks to the royal family’s own website.
Coronations Have a Strict Set of Standard Procedures
The royal website notes that the coronation ceremony “has remained essentially the same over a thousand years,” so basically, the vibe is: If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. That said, most of us have never seen one, so Charles being crowned king should be pretty exciting! Some things to look out for:
Charles’s coronation will likely take place at Westminster Abbey in London, the traditional spot for coronations for the past 900 years.
It’ll be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Charles will take the “coronation oath,” which we’ll get to shortly. Stay tuned! Fun times!
Charles will sit on King Edward’s chair, which is
made of hundreds of melted swordsmade of wood and dates back to 1296. Name an older chair, I dare you!
We Finally Have a Coronation Date
Per Bloomberg, King Charles' coronation will take place on June 3 of 2023, which is seven months from now . So, why the delay? Two reasons: (1) so there’s a suitable period of mourning and (2) because planning a coronation ceremony is a huge deal that takes forever.
That said, a source told the Daily Mail that Charles’s coronation will happen within a year of his accession.
Literally, Everyone Will Attend
Aside from the royal family, Charles’s coronation will be attended by royals from around the world, as well as reps from the Houses of Parliament and “leading citizens” from Commonwealth countries. It’s basically like a royal wedding only 10 times more intense. Although apparently, Charles also wants to limit the guest list to 2,000. So, you know, just a cozy chill night.
Duchess Camilla Will Also Get Crowned
Back in February 2022, the Queen announced that it was her “sincere wish” for Camilla to be named Queen Consort upon Charles ascension—which created some controversy, as usual. But this does mean that Camilla will be crowned in a “similar but simpler” ceremony, as is tradition. Note: While Camila will be a Queen, she won’t be THE queen (aka a Queen Regnant) and therefore will not share King Charles’s sovereignty.
Charles’s Coronation Oath Will Go Something Like This....
The royal’s website notes that the oath has changed a bit over the years, but here is what Queen Elizabeth literally said during her coronation:
Archbishop: Madam, is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?
The Queen: I am willing.
The Archbishop: Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon, and of your Possessions and the other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?
The Queen: I solemnly promise so to do.
The Archbishop: Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgements?
The Queen: I will.
The Archbishop: Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England? And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?
The Queen: I will.
Prince Harry Might Not Attend If It’s at Westminster Abbey
Which it likely will be given this is the traditional location. But the reason Harry may choose not to attend is pretty understandable: Westminster Abbey is where Princess Diana’s funeral ceremony was held.
The Royal Balcony Appearance Might Be “Slimmed Down”
The royal family is pretty huge, and the Daily Mail reports that Charles could have a super slimmed-down show of royal support on the Buckingham Palace balcony after his coronation. In case you aren’t aware, the royals love nothing more than gathering on a balcony after a major event. Ahem:
“It will be a slimmed-down monarchy on display throughout,” a source noted. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see just Charles and Camilla, Kate and William and their children on the Buckingham Palace balcony afterward.”
Charles’s Coronation Will Be More Low-Key Than His Mom’s
The Daily Mail reported that Charles wants his ceremony to be “markedly shorter and cheaper” than his mother’s was, and a source confirmed it will be “shorter, sooner, smaller, less expensive and more representative of different community groups and faiths.” Love the fact that it’s going to be more inclusive!
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