Are there changes to come?
All around the world people have been watching the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Whether you are a royalist or not, you may have been one of the millions who witnessed the ceremony and processions. And you may have noticed some breaks with tradition. Firstly the King wore his naval trousers/pants instead of the silk stockings worn by his grandfather at his coronation.
King Charles has waited all his life for this moment. He became heir to the throne at the age of 3. Today he finally celebrates his coronation at the age of 74. His mother’s coronation was 70 years ago on the 2nd June 1953.
The coronation took place in Westminster Abbey, originally the home of Benedictine monks in 960 AD. It has been the setting for every Coronation since 1066 and for numerous other royal occasions, including sixteen royal weddings.
The King and his Queen Consort, Camilla, however were not married here. Their service was a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall and they had a service of Prayer and Dedication at St George’s chapel.
The intention was originally for Camilla to be the Princess Consort, but Queen Elizabeth II announced at her Platinum Jubilee that she should be made Queen Consort when the time came. So new her title is quite a big change when you consider the history of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.
The Coronation service was full of pageantry and tradition. However there were some adjustments for the modern age. Elizabeth II’s coronation lasted 5 hours. Today’s service is a scaled down version lasting two hours. Similarly, whereas his mother’s coronation involved 8000 guests, King Charles (only) had 2300 at his service. Among these were over 100 heads of state as well as religious leaders.
The music of the ceremony was a mix of traditional pieces, such as the Veni Creator Spiritus from the pen of a German monk in the 10th Century, with beautiful new commissions for the event.
There were six parts to the coronation: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture, the enthronement, and finally the homage. In the recognition two women were among those who presented the King to North, West, South and East. Similarly it was Penny Mordaunt who held and presented the jewelled sword.
The King made the coronation and accession declaration oaths. Then he prayed aloud a prayer that was written for him. It is the first time a sovereign has publicly prayed such a personal prayer.
It was also the first time Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jewish leaders had a prominent role at a British coronation.
Charles himself is the first British monarch to hold a university degree. He is keen to make changes such as telling extended members of the royal family that they have to house themselves rather than rely on lodging at the Palace.
All in all, there was enough pomp to satisfy traditionalists, and enough changes to show reformers that some change is on the way. Even if they are only the size of a postage stamp!
And making small changes is a great way to improve anything. The good news is that you can make changes much faster than any changes we can expect in the monarchy. If you’d like to make changes in your own life, even if you’re not in the Royal Family, you can book an appointment with me here and I will be happy to help!
