King Charles III and Britain's Camilla Queen Consort greet well-wishers from the balcony of the city Hall, in Hamburg, Germany on 31 March 2023. Photo: AFP/JOHN MACDOUGALL
King Charles III’s coronation ceremony on Saturday will be a historic event featuring grandeur and spectacle, and blending tradition and modernity.
The ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey and involve dignitaries and members of the public from various towns across the United Kingdom.
The two-hour Anglican service, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, features many intricate rituals and ceremonies recognisable from previous coronations.
King Charles III made efforts to update certain aspects of the service, reflecting a more diverse and modern Britain.
King Charles III’s coronation will be a mix of tradition and modernity as he marks the beginning of a new era for the British monarchy.
For the first time, women bishops will participate in the service, and leaders of Britain’s non-Christian faiths and Celtic languages will play prominent roles.
The congregation will include ordinary members of the public, showcasing a more inclusive representation of British society.
The coronation themes will also mirror King Charles III’s lifelong interest in biodiversity and sustainability.
Seasonal flowers and foliage from various parts of the UK will fill the abbey, with single-use plastic and floral foam banned.
Ceremonial vestments from previous coronations will be reused, and the anointing oil will be vegan.
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