King Charles III will be crowned as UK's new monarch along with the Queen Consort, Camilla, at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
The solemn religious ceremony is rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry dating back more than 1,000 years and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
While Charles was officially proclaimed King following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022, the Coronation of a new Sovereign in the UK takes place after their accession, following a period of mourning.
2,000 dignitaries, including royals from across the world, are expected to attend.
Coronation
The former Prince of Wales' coronation is the official ascension to the throne and formal confirmation of his role as head of state and titular head of the Church of England, according to the AP.
During the service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, "Charles will be anointed with oil, receive the traditional symbols of the monarch - including the orb and scepter - and have the St. Edwards Crown placed on his head for the first time", explained the AP.
According to the BBC, there are five stages to the coronation; the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture, and the enthronement.
During the Recognition, King Charles will be presented to "the people" and will turn to face the four sides of the abbey and be proclaimed the "undoubted King" before the congregation is asked to show their homage and service. He will be proclaimed three times. The congregation will shout "God Save the King!" and trumpets will sound after each recognition.
For the Oath, the archbishop will administer the Coronation Oath and will ask King Charles to confirm that he will uphold the law and the Church of England during his reign. The King will also take a second oath - the Accession Declaration Oath - stating that he is a "faithful Protestant".
The King, after removing the ceremonial robe, will then sit in the Coronation Chair to be anointed with special oil in the form of a cross on his head, breast, and hands.
The investiture is crowning. The archbishop will place St Edward's Crown on the King's head and the abbey bells will ring for two minutes, trumpets will sound and gun salutes will be fired across the UK.
The enthronement is the final part of the ceremony and will see the King take the throne. Prince William will be the only Royal Duke to kneel and pay homage to King Charles.
Regalia
According to the royal website, King Charles will reuse historic items of clothing from the Royal Collection, worn by previous monarchs at past Coronations.
The Palace said he will reuse the Colobium Sindonis, the Supertunica, the Imperial Mantle, the Coronation Sword Belt, and the Coronation Glove, which featured in the Coronation Services of King George IV in 1821, King George V in 1911, King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Colobium Sindon: Charles will be invested with Colobium Sindon after the anointing. It is a white linen shift-like tunic, and a plain collar fastened with a single button, intended to represent a priest's alb.
Supertunica: The Supertunica is a full-length, sleeved gold coat and is worn under the Imperial Mantle. The Sovereign is invested with the Supertunica following the Anointing and it is fastened with the Coronation Sword Belt.
Imperial Mantle: The Imperial Mantle is worn over the Supertunica and is more similar in design to a robe. The Imperial Mantle is made of cloth of gold, gold, silver and silk thread, silk, gold bullion fringe, and a gold clasp.
Coronation Sword Belt: The Coronation Sword Belt, is made of cloth of gold, and embroidered in gold thread with arabesques and scrolls. It is placed around the Supertunica. The Jewelled Sword of Offering is then 'girded' or fastened at the Sovereign's waist using the Sword Belt.
Coronation Glove: The Coronation Glove or gauntlet is made for the Sovereign's right hand. It is made of white leather and the wrist is embroidered with gilt metal thread, wire, and spangles in the form of national emblems. The Glove is worn to hold the Sovereign's Sceptre during the Crowning and then removed before processing to the Throne Chair.
Chairs
Ceremonial chairs and thrones are used for the different stages of the Coronation Service. They are the; Chairs of Estate, Throne Chairs, Coronation Chair, and Congregation Chairs.
Chairs of Estate: The Chairs of Estate will be used during the early parts of the Service and for the Coronation of Her Majesty The Queen Consort.
Throne Chairs: King Charles and Camilla will seat in the Throne Chairs for the Enthroning and the Homage.
Coronation Chair: Also known as St Edward's Chair, as it was first used at the Coronation of King Edward II, King Charles will be crowned King on the same chair.
Congregation Chairs: These chairs will be positioned in Westminster Abbey for the guests and have been covered in blue velvet and feature the cyphers of King Charles and Camilla.
Schedule, according to Mail Online:
Coronation Day - May 6
7:15am (9:15 EAT): Westminster Abbey guests will begin arriving at security checkpoints in Victoria Tower Gardens.
9am (11:15 EAT): The congregation will be seated inside Westminster Abbey.
9:30am-10:45am (11:30-12:45 EAT): Coronation guests, including the royal family, heads of state and former prime ministers are scheduled to arrive.
9:45am (10:45 EAT): The Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry will prepare to assemble for the King's Procession from Buckingham Palace.
10:20am (12:20 EAT): The King and Queen will travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
11am (1pm EAT): The main event, the coronation, will take place.
1pm (3pm EAT): The coronation procession is expected to begin as the royals return from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, with almost 4,000 military personnel expected to be involved.
1:45pm (3:45 EAT): The Royal Salute will see the King and Queen be saluted on the West Terrace of Buckingham Palace's garden, after which the military personnel present will give three cheers.
2:15pm (4:15 EAT): 15 members of the royal family will gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the fly-past which will pay homage to Charles and Camilla.
Sunday, May 7
A special Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle, bringing international entertainers together in celebration of the historic event.
Monday, May 8
Monday will be a special bank holiday and has been set aside for volunteering in a tribute to the King's lifetime of public service.
[AP, BBC, royal website, and Mail Online]
