After a seven-decade wait, Charles III has been crowned king of the United Kingdom in a grand ceremony that marked a turning point for the monarchy. This event comes as the country is adapting to technological and social changes. Charles, who took over as king after Queen Elizabeth II's death in September, received St. Edward’s Crown in a religion-infused ceremony where he was anointed with holy oil behind a screen.
The coronation was a spectacle that put British soft power on display. There were 2,000 dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and celebrities in attendance, with thousands more gathered on London's streets and millions more watching from around the globe. To conclude the event, the king and Queen Camilla appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, flanked by two generations of heirs, including Prince William and his nine-year-old son, George. The royal couple traveled to and from the abbey in horse-drawn coaches used in past processions.
This coronation marks the start of a new era for the UK as it adjusts to life without Elizabeth, who largely succeeded in maintaining popular support during her record-breaking reign. The event was carefully choreographed to mark a new beginning for the monarchy as Britain continues to struggle with a cost-of-living crisis and the lingering fallout from Brexit, the pandemic, and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Despite a streamlined guest list and a truncated parade route compared to the ceremony that confirmed Elizabeth's reign in 1953, many of the traditions and paraphernalia remained, from the military bands and the horse guards to the 700-year-old wooden coronation chair and the ancient spoon that was used to anoint the king. Camilla, once a deeply unpopular figure because of her role in the breakup of Charles's first marriage to Princess Diana, was also crowned.
The service was conducted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Church of England, and was intended to "reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future," while being "rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry," according to Buckingham Palace.
Guests included the UK's first Hindu Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, and former premiers John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss. Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt played a prominent role in delivering a sword to the king. The US was represented by First Lady Jill Biden, while French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng were among those invited.
Russia did not receive an invitation following its war in Ukraine. Members of the Royal Family, led by William, also took part in the ceremony. George was a page boy. Prince Harry also attended despite a very public falling-out with his family, but his wife Meghan was not there. Celebrities including Kenneth Branagh, Nick Cave, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Maggie Smith, and Emma Thompson earlier shuffled into the abbey alongside heads of state and other guests.
The coronation comes after a period of political and economic turmoil in the UK, which has had five prime ministers since its seismic decision to leave the European Union in 2016, including three in the past year. A general election is likely next year after 13 years of Conservative governments that have overseen the recovery from the financial crisis, a referendum on Scottish independence, Brexit, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Support for retaining the monarchy sits at 62%, according to a YouGov poll of 2,030 Britons published this week. However, younger Brits are more likely to want an elected head of state, with just 36% of 18-24 year olds wanting to keep the Royals. Overall, the coronation was a moment of extraordinary national pride and a vivid demonstration of the modern character of the UK, as well as a cherished ritual through which a new era is born.