On September 8, 2022, the British people lost Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96. Following his disappearance, his son, Prince Charles, directly became King of England. Two days after his death, the husband of Camilla Parker Bowles was officially proclaimed king before the Council of Succession at the Palais Saint-James. Since then, many rumors have been circulating about the possible date of his coronation.
The Bloomberg media had revealed that the father of princes William and Harry would be crowned on June 3, 2023, a symbolic date since it would take place almost 70 years after the coronation of Elizabeth II. A “pure speculation,” a Buckingham spokesperson told The Mirror at the time, putting these rumors to rest. It will finally be almost a month after the disappearance of Elizabeth II that the date has been revealed. King Charles III will finally be crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023. During this event, Camilla will then be crowned Queen Consort.
Unlike the coronation of Elizabeth II, that of King Charles III should be more modest. “Queen Elizabeth had a grandiose coronation of more than 4 hours. If the protocol will remain very present for that of Charles, as for any royal event, the ceremony will however be simpler”, told us Kevin Guillot, historian and author of the site BritishMonarchy.com. As in the wake of the current economic crisis, the event should be less lavish. “At the time of a major economic crisis, and to correspond to Charles’ wishes to set up a more modern monarchy while respecting traditions, Charles’s will certainly be shorter and less sumptuous, with for example less guests,” he added.
This ceremony, which should be watched by millions of viewers, will be historic. “It is the legacy of over 1,000 years of British history (…) During this ceremony, the monarch receives the symbols of his powers. He is consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury using the holy oil. Thus, the sovereign becomes the most sacred figure in England, head of the Anglican Church and representative of God on Earth”, explains Kévin Guillot. King Charles III will also receive “a ring which represents his marriage to the English nation. He is finally crowned properly by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the number 2 of the Church of England, with the crown of Saint Edward It will be the only time in his life that the monarch will wear this crown.”