King Carlos III will be formally crowned this Saturday, together with his wife, Queen Camila, in a ceremony full of pomp and secular traditions that last took place 70 years ago.
The act is essentially symbolic, as Charles III was proclaimed head of state shortly after the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, in September, and the ritual has been repeated for more than 900 years at Westminster Abbey, illuminated by the ostentatious crown jewels. and exuberant costumes.
Thousands of people wait in the streets of London for the death of King Charles III. Both sides of The Mall, the avenue that connects Buckingham Palace with Trafalgar Square, are already full, as is Whitehall, the access avenue to Westminster.
A few dozen onlookers risked spending the night outdoors, while the majority began to arrive at dawn and dawn from various parts of the country to take a place along the road.
Many spectators dressed in traditional British blue, red and white shirts or caps, wrapped themselves in flags or adopted their own plastic crown.
The atmosphere is lively and many Brits have come with their families, with children, to observe what they consider a “historical moment”.
However, the dimension and importance of the occasion is reflected in the security operation called “Golden Orb”, which mobilized more than 11,000 police officers.
Dressed in military uniforms, religious garb and medals, guests began to take seats in the church after security forces searched the Abbey and the surrounding area with trained dogs.
One of the most anticipated moments will be the final procession, between the Abbey and Buckingham Palace, in which thousands of soldiers will participate in a school in the Imperial Golden Carriage that will transport King Carlos III and the Queen Consort, Camila.
What to expect from this ceremony?
The United Kingdom is the only European monarchy that maintains a religious celebration at the coronation, which marks the attribution of God’s grace to the sovereign.
The day’s program begins with the “King’s Procession” from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey by horse-drawn carriage, a journey of about two kilometers.
The ceremony is expected to start at 11:00 am (the same time in Lisbon) and last around two hours, led by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, spiritual leader of the Anglican Church.
The musical repertoire will combine classical themes and modern compositions, seeking to “reflect the role of the monarch today and look to the future, but rooted in historical traditions and pageantry,” the Palace explained.
Carlos III, 74, preferred a simpler and shorter service than his mother’s in 1953, before an audience reduced to 2,000 people, including foreign dignitaries and royals, British politicians and civil society.
Still, some of the protocol has been repeated for centuries, with the only segment required by law to be the “Coronation Oath,” written in 1688, which has varied over the centuries to reflect evolution in composition. territory of the United Kingdom and countries under the British crown.
Carlos III will have to swear that he will govern “according to the laws”, will promote justice and protect the Anglican religion, of which the monarch is the supreme leader.
Then, seated on the throne, the King will be anointed with oil by the Archbishop, and will receive the royal mantle, the sphere (a gold globe with a cross on top), the scepter and the crown of Saint Edward, which will be placed on the sovereign’s head
Queen Camilla, 75, will be crowned at the same ceremony, after which the couple will stage the “Coronation Procession” back to Buckingham Palace, this time accompanied by some 4,000 prim soldiers in full dress uniform.
To conclude the day’s public festivities, the royal family is expected to appear on the balcony of the Palace to greet the crowds and watch around 60 Air Force planes fly over the Palace.
The festivities continue throughout the weekend, extended thanks to the national holiday on Monday decreed for the occasion by the Government.
On Sunday May 7, thousands of people across the country are expected to celebrate the event with the “Great Coronation Lunch” in the form of street parties.
In the evening, the ‘Coronation Concert’ will take place on the grounds of Windsor Castle, featuring the likes of Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie and witnessed by 10,000 people who received raffle tickets.
On Monday, May 8, the population is encouraged to participate in “The Big Help Out”, which aims to encourage British people to volunteer.
Source: TSF
