Charles III crowned in rare coronation ceremony.

King Charles III’s Coronation: A Celebration of Tradition and Faith

On a beautiful Saturday morning, King Charles III of the United Kingdom made his Coronation oath on the Holy Bible at the ancient Westminster Abbey in London. The ceremony was a Christian service celebrating the new King and symbolizing the unity of church and crown.

Anointed with Holy Oil

As a priest would be, King Charles III was anointed with Holy oil blessed in Jerusalem. This was the most sacred part of the proceedings and was private between King, priest, and God alone. Surrounded by screens, the King’s head, hands, and chest were crossed with oil.

Ceremonial Items and Allegories

There was then a presentation of ceremonial items, each representing a kingly virtue and making allegory of the responsibilities of the monarch. The sword presented to the King, for instance, came with the words:

• Do justice
• Stop the growth of iniquity
• Protect the holy Church of God and all people of goodwill
• Help and defend widows and orphans
• Restore the things that are gone to decay
• Maintain the things that are restored
• Punish and reform what is amiss
• Confirm what is in good order

The King was then crowned, the symbolic height of the day. Cross-shaped in plan and topped by a cross surmounting an orb, the crown is an ancient symbol of a Christian world.

Ancient Traditions and Artifacts

The ceremonies of this Coronation took place in the historic Westminster Abbey, which has hosted every coronation since 1066. The service featured several elements of remarkable antiquity, including a lesson read from a 6th-century Bible and the Coronation chair, which is thought to be the oldest still-used piece of furniture in the United Kingdom, dating back to the year 1300.

All this takes place upon the Cosmati Pavement, a serious work of art in its own right. Laid down in 1268, the Abbey itself says “The complexity and subtlety of the design and workmanship can be seen nowhere else on this scale.” In normal times, the floor cannot be walked upon by guests to the church at all, except on special tours where no shoes, only socks, may be worn.

This exceptional historic artifact wasn’t even seen at all in the previous two Coronations, as it was covered with a carpet for protection.

The Coronation of King Charles III was a celebration of tradition and faith, a momentous occasion that will be remembered for generations to come.

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