Most of us are still getting used to saying “God save the King” rather than “God Save the Queen.” Nonetheless, Charles is now the King of England. And the only thing left is to make everything official via coronation.
These coronation events stretch back for nearly a thousand years. Over that time, some traditions have stayed firmly in place and others have changed dramatically. What will King Charles’ own coronation be like? Here is everything we know about the special event.
When is King Charles’ coronation?
While Charles became king this year, the official coronation will not be until next year. It is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
If it feels like there is a large gap between Charles becoming king and getting coronated, that is by design. As Today reports, Elizabeth became queen in February 1952, but she wasn’t officially coronated until June 1953.
Why the wait? There are two primary purposes: to give the public enough time to mourn the previous monarch and to prepare all the logistical details for the coronation. Beyond that, any date could have been chosen. Still, some can’t help but think Charles chose this date as a way of snubbing Harry and Meghan!
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A possible diss to Harry and Meghan?
May 6 may not have any special significance to most people. However, this is a day with very special significance to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. That is the birthday of their oldest child, Archie, and he will be turning four years old the day that Charles is officially coronated.
There is always a chance that this was more of a bureaucratic mixup than a snub, with nobody double-checking possible Royal Family conflicts on that date. However, as Page Six reports, this is happening only two weeks after Harry and Meghan were demoted on the official Royal Family website.
Between that and the fact that it’s still unclear if Harry and Charles ever buried the hatchet, it’s entirely reasonable to suspect this coronation date is a snub at these rebellious royals. And since they are constantly under public scrutiny, there is little Harry and Meghan can say as a reaction without seeming like they are disrupting official royal business.
Where will King Charles’ coronation take place?
King Charles’ coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey in London. Over the years, this location has been the center of much joy and much sorrow for the Royal Family.
For example, Westminster Abbey was where Prince William and Kate Middleton got married back in 2011. But it’s also where Queen Elizabeth’s funeral was held this year.
At any rate, Westminster Abbey is also the default location for any coronation. As Today points out, this abbey has been the location for royal coronations for over 900 years ever since William the Conquerer was coronated on December 25, 1066.
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Will Charles’ coronation be much like Elizabeth’s?
Right now, King Charles’ coronation is still being planned, so we don’t yet know all the details. However, early reports indicate that this particular coronation will have a much smaller guest list of people attending.
When Queen Elizabeth II was coronated, special seats were built into Westminster Abbey to allow 8,000 people to fit inside rather than the usual maximum capacity of 2,000 people. However, The Mirror reports that Charles is unlikely to install such special seating, meaning that 2,000 people maximum could attend the event.
This is already leading to speculation about which particular noblemen, noblewomen, and parliamentarians won’t get an invitation. And some can’t help but wonder if Harry and Meghan might get left off the guest list and have to watch the ceremony via TV like the rest of us.
Special changes to the traditional ceremony
On one hand, coronations in Westminster Abbey go back nearly a millennium. On the other hand, no two coronations are exactly alike. And it looks like there will be some special changes to the traditional coronation ceremony to help modernize and streamline the event.
For example, Elizabeth’s coronation had guests showing up in ceremonial robes that would make most cosplayers jealous. In deference to modernity, Charles’ guests will likely just wear suits and dresses to the coronation (which also makes the Royal Family look a tad less opulent in an age where so many people are financially struggling).
There will still be a fair bit of pomp and circumstance, including Charles getting anointed by the Archbishop, taking an oath, and receiving a ceremonial orb, scepter, and ring. But as reported by The Mirror, some of these old rituals such as a presentation of gold to the monarch are likely to get the axe.
While Charles is obviously the focus of this event, Camilla will also be getting crowned as well. There, she will serve at his side as Queen Consort of England.
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