LONDON (HPD) — King Charles III will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6 in a ceremony that will look to the past but look to the modern world after the 70-year reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Buckingham Palace made the announcement Tuesday amid speculation that the coronation will be shorter and less extravagant than the three-hour ceremony that installed Elizabeth in 1953, in keeping with Charles’s plans for a more sober monarchy. Although the palace provided few details, British media reported that the guest list would be reduced to 2,000, from 8,000 previously.
Charles will be crowned in a solemn religious ceremony conducted by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the palace said in a statement. Camila, the queen consort, will be crowned along with her husband.
“The coronation will reflect the role of the monarchy today and will look to the future, while contemplating the traditions and splendor of all time,” the palace said.
Carlos will be anointed with sacred oils before receiving the orb, scepter, and coronation ring. Camilla will also be anointed with holy oils and crowned, just as Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was.
The palace is planning the coronation, known as “Operation Golden Orb”, as Charles and his heir, Prince William, try to prove that the monarchy is still relevant in modern, multicultural Britain. While there was widespread respect for Isabel, as evidenced by the tens of thousands of people who waited hours to pass her casket, there is no guarantee that Carlos would receive such expressions of interest.
Organizers are likely to hold a ceremony lasting about an hour, in keeping with the queen’s “immensely emotional” funeral last month, said royal family historian Robert Lacey, author of “Majesty: Elizabeth II and the House.” of Windsor”.