Plans for King Charles III’s Coronation on Saturday 6th May 2023 are well under way. From what crown King Charles will wear to Prince William’s role, new ceremony details are being announced every week.
At Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, the service fell into six parts: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture (which includes the crowning), the enthronement and the homage. Are you curious to know more about coronation rituals and traditions? As the countdown begins, we take a look at what coronation traditions we can expect to see at King Charles’ Coronation.
Coronation Rituals: Recognition
During Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation, the first part of the ceremony was the presentation of the monarch to “the people”. The Archbishop of Canterbury, accompanied by the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Lord High Constable (of England), the Earl Marshal and preceded by Garter King of Arms, presented the Queen to those in attendance.
As they presented Her Majesty to those on the east, south, west and north sides of the Theatre, people signified with “recognition and joy”, proclaiming loudly “God Save Queen Elizabeth”. Trumpets also sounded after each recognition. After this, the Queen then returned to her Chair of Estate and the Archbishop went to the alter.
It is thought King Charles’ recognition will follow the same format.
Coronation Rituals: Oath
An important part of the coronation ceremony is the taking of the coronation oath. During the ceremony, King Charles will be required to swear an oath to uphold the law and the Church of England. The King is expected to recognise all faiths when he speaks at the Coronation. Following that, the new monarch will then be anointed with holy oil, receive the orb, coronation ring and sceptre, and be crowned with St Edward’s Crown (more details below).
The oath is taken from the 1689 Coronation Oath Act. As documented on the National Archives, Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation oath was as follows:
I solemnly promise and swear to govern the People of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon, and of my Possessions and the other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs.
I will to my power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all my judgements.
I will to the utmost of my power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel. I will to the utmost of my power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law. And I will maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England. And I will preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them.
The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep.
So help me God.
Coronation Rituals: The anointing
Following coronation traditions, King Charles III will be anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. This is thought to be most sacred part of any coronation, and takes place before the investiture and crowning. The Archbishop will pour holy oil from the Ampulla (or vessel) into the spoon, and will anoint the King’s hands, heads and breast.
According to royal.co.uk, the Sovereign will be “anointed, blessed and consecrated” by the Archbishop, whilst seated in King Edward’s chair (made in 1300, and used by every Sovereign since 1626). After receiving the orb and sceptres, the Archbishop will place St Edward’s Crown on the King’s head.
Coronation Rituals: Investiture
The gift of the crown marks the formal investiture of a monarch — the first time a King or Queen is dressed in their regalia.
This part of the Coronation will see King Charles sitting in King Edward’s Chair. He will be crowned by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the congregation will shout “God Save the King”. During the investiture, the new King will put on the Royal Robe of gold cloth and will be presented with the orb, coronation ring (which will be placed on the fourth finger of his right hand), the sceptre and the rod.
Coronation Rituals: Enthroning
This part of the Coronation will see King Charles rise from the Coronation Chair and ascend the steps of the Throne. He will be holding the Sword of State.
When Queen Elizabeth was crowned, a statement was declared. It read:
The Queen, having come to her Throne, was then lifted up into it by the Archbishops, the Bishops, and the other Peers, who thereafter stood round about the steps of the Throne; and the Archbishop, standing before the Queen, pronounced the Exhortation beginning with the words “Stand firm, and holdfast”.
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Coronation Rituals: Homage
This is the final part of the Coronation. It will see the Archbishop of Canterbury, along with royal blood princes (likely to include just Prince William, the Prince of Wales), and senior peers, pay homage to the new monarch. They will place their hands between the King’s knees, swear an allegiance, touch the crown and kiss the King’s right hand.
At the coronation of George V in 1911, the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII) knelt before his father and recited the words:
I Edward Prince of Wales do become your liege man of life and limb and of earthly worship; and faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die against all manner of folks. So help me God.
In 1953, the most senior peer present was the Duke of Edinburgh. He took off his coronet, ascended the steps of the Throne, knelt before the Queen, placed his hands between hers and pronounced his words of Homage. He was followed by the Dukes of Gloucester and Kent, both cousins of the Queen.
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