The coronation of Charles III as King of the United Kingdom has been held at Westminster Abbey, in London, on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Camilla Parker Bowles has also been proclaimed queen consort at the same ceremony.
The coronation ceremony of Charles III as King of the United Kingdom began with British punctuality at 11 in the morning English time (12 noon in Spain) at Westminster Abbey in London. A historic event attended by all the kings and queens of the world (with an imposing Queen Letizia as the most elegant royal and Kate Middleton dazzling with a gala look) and in which, in addition, there have been controversial sounds, such as the absence of Meghan Markle.
For exactly two hours, as planned, the coronation ceremony was held in Westminster before more than 2,000 guests. In it, Camilla Parker Bowles has also been proclaimed queen consort and Carlos III has pronounced his first words as crowned king: "I have come not to be served, but to serve".
Carlos III, king after more than 70 years as heir
Carlos III, already crowned King of the United Kingdom, has been the heir who has been waiting for the longest to be proclaimed monarch. His mother, Elizabeth II, ascended the throne in 1952 when he was 3 years old. He has been crowned at the age of 74 after the longest-serving monarch died last September at the age of 96.
In addition to being King of the United Kingdom, Charles III is sovereign of the other fourteen kingdoms that are part of the Commonwealth and is the leader of the Anglican Church. His successor will be his son William, Prince of Wales.
Camilla, from lover, to queen consort of the United Kingdom
Unlike Prince Philip of Edinburgh, who was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla does hold the title of queen. Consort, yes. This privilege is only reserved for women who marry or are married to kings of the United Kingdom, but not for men, who instead of consorts to the queen, are 'only' princes. Camilla has been crowned and proclaimed queen in the same Westminster Abbey ceremony as Charles III.
The first words of Carlos III as crowned king
Charles III has been proclaimed King of the United Kingdom in a coronation ceremony that lasted exactly two hours and was held, in front of more than 2,000 guests, at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday, May 6. Although he has not delivered an official speech during the act, in his first words as crowned king, the new monarch has assured that "in his name, and following his example, I have come not to be served, but to serve"
The kiss of Prince William, the loyalty of the heir
During King Charles III's coronation ceremony, one of the most solemn and emotional moments was when his eldest son, Crown Prince William of Wales, knelt before the monarch and swore allegiance to him. "I, William, Prince of Wales, swear allegiance to you, faith and truth, and give myself to you as your servant body and soul. May God help us », have been his words.
Although we would have loved it if the cameras had focused on the controversial Harry at that moment, the truth is that, later, Prince William kissed his father on the cheek, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, asked the attendees to Whoever wanted to, would swear their allegiance to the king. This formula has been renewed to avoid conflicts with the most wayward members of the royal family.
A more modern and inclusive ceremony
The coronation ceremony of Carlos III, although not without controversy, has tried to adapt to current times. Shorter (two hours exactly), more 'humble' (if that is possible in this type of activity with all the Zomba and pageantry in the world), and closer to the people than that of Isabel II, a clear example has been that the person in charge of carrying the orb (which represents, precisely, the earthly) has been a nurse. In addition, Carlos III wanted to include representatives of other religions in addition to Anglican, a church of which, from now on, the new king is also a leader in the celebration of the ceremony.
“The coronation will reflect the role of the monarch today. He will look to the future, at the same time that he will be rooted in traditions », detailed the official website of the Royal House.
What do the coronation symbols mean?
Within those traditions that have been kept in the coronation of Carlos III, there are numerous details loaded with symbolism. Carlos has worn two crowns (St. Edward's, with which he has been proclaimed king, and the Imperial, with which he has left Westminster Abbey).
In addition, he has carried two scepters and an orb, which represent his earthly and religious power; he has sat in the coronation chair, with more than seven centuries of history, and on the Stone of Destiny of the Scottish kings; he has been anointed (hidden behind some screens) with the sacred oil and, now, vegan; and the coronation spoon, the sword, the manacles and spurs, the sword and the golden amphora have been presented to him.
Controversial presences and absences: Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Andrew
The attendance of Prince Harry has been unknown almost until the very hour of the start of the coronation ceremony of Carlos III. The latest disagreements and accusations between Lady Di's youngest son and the royal family led people to think that he would finally break with the Windsors and would not go to this historical event. He has finally appeared in Westminster, but with a very low profile: without accompanying the 'senior' members of the family, without a military uniform, and without occupying the first rows, as he would be due to his kinship. He has not been present at the greeting of the new kings from the balcony of Buckingham either.
The symbolic looks of Kate Middleton, Queen Camilla, and Princess Anne
If King Carlos III was the great protagonist of this historic day, Camilla has also made history. Not only has she gone from being the heir's lover and 'bad guy' to becoming queen, but she has done it by wasting happiness and smiles and with a spectacular look. To the ermine cape and the 'recycled' crown (they say that she has not dared to wear the controversial Koh-i-noor), she has added a very elegant white jewel dress by her head designer, Bruce Oldfield. The embroideries create garlands of wildflowers, fields, and hedgerows, representing the Royal couple's love of nature.
But without a doubt, the big surprise was given by Kate Middleton, impeccable in white, with an impressive floral tiara by Jess Collett for McQueen that pays tribute to Elizabeth II with the flowers worn by the bridesmaids at her coronation and the mantle of the order victorian. Princess Anne, for her part, has made a show of being the most beloved royal in the family and, as a symbol of her loyalty to the king and the country and her role within the institution, she has dressed in her military dress uniform.
Letizia, the best-dressed queen at the coronation
Of course, if we have to stay with the best-dressed guest, without a doubt our Letizia has been the most elegant and successful. If at the reception before the coronation she dazzled in green and with a British wink in an impressive dress by Victoria Beckham, on the great day of Carlos III she has gone a step further. The Queen of Spain has opted for total pink with a fuchsia pink two-piece by Carolina Herrera and an impressive headdress that has given no other queen in the world the option of overshadowing it.
What happens after the coronation ceremony
After the two-hour coronation ceremony for Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster, the new kings and active members of the royal family take a carriage tour through the streets of London until they arrive at Buckingham Palace, where they salute from the balcony to his people. Afterward, the new monarchs have a short reception with the invited royals and a private family lunch. The events in honor of the new king will continue until Monday, a holiday in the United Kingdom, with concerts, popular festivals, and lunches with members of civil society.
