Spokesman Report
LONDON: King Charles III has been crowned at London’s Westminster Abbey in Britain’s biggest ceremonial event for seven decades.
Charles looked serious as he swore oaths to govern justly and uphold the Church of England -of which he is the titular head.
He was then hidden from watching eyes by a screen for the most sacred part of the ceremony when he was anointed on his hands, head and breast by Archbishop
of Canterbury Justin Welby with holy oil consecrated in Jerusalem.
After being presented with symbolic regalia, Welby placed the St Edward’s Crown — which was made for Charles II in 1661 — on his head and the congregation
cried out “God save the King”.
His eldest son William, 40, then knelt before his father to pledge his loyalty as his “liege man of life and limb”, both moments greeted by cheers from
crowds outside.
Camilla, Charles’s second wife, was crowned Queen during the 2-hour ceremony which, while rooted in history, attempted to present a forward-looking monarchy.
Tens of thousands of people ignored rain to line the streets of London to watch the royal procession.
“No other country could put on such a dazzling display — the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies, and street parties,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had
said in the lead-up to the coronation.
Despite Mr Sunak’s enthusiasm, the coronation is taking place amid a cost-of-living crisis and public scepticism, particularly among the young, about the role and relevance of the monarchy.
Earlier, Charles and Camilla made their way in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach as part of the procession from Buckingham Palace, down The Mall and Whitehall and on to the abbey.
Key points:Tens of thousands of people gathered around London for King Charles’s coronation Charles became the oldest British monarch to be crowned Police say they made 52 arrests during their operation for the coronation The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, slowly placed the 360-year-old St Edward’s Crown
on top of the King’s head.
Prince William, heir to the throne, pledged his allegiance to his father.
King Charles succeeded his mother Queen Elizabeth when she died last September and at 74, became the oldest British monarch to be crowned as he
sat upon a 14th-century throne at Westminster Abbey.