At a solemn religious ceremony held at Westminster Abbey, King Charles III was crowned as the King of the United Kingdom on Saturday. The king and his wife, Camilla, the queen consort, travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey – a distance of 2.2-km – at a stately pace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach bearing a gilded crown, which was commissioned for Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.
King Charles was presented with the Armills –the “bracelets of sincerity and wisdom”. Lord Kamall presented the armills to King Charles after he was enthroned. The Bishop of Durham put the Stole Royal over the King’s shoulders before William, Baroness Merron, who served as the Board of Deputies of British Jews’ chief executive, and assisting bishops clothed the king in the Robe Royal, the publication reported.
The Anglican Archbishop of Armagh handed over the orb to Justin Welby. The Ring was brought from the altar by Lord Patel. Representing the Sikh community Lord Singh of Wimbledon had in his trust the glove, The Guardian reported.
Queen Consort Camilla was also enthroned in a simpler ceremony. Camilla was presented with the royal sceptre and the rod of equity and mercy, and was crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown.
The king entered through the great west door of the abbey. He wore a long dark red robe as he slowly proceeded through the church behind his wife, Camilla. He was greeted by a congregation of around 2,200 – made up of heads of state and government, worldwide royalty as well as community champions.
India’s Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Dr Sudesh Dhankhar represented India on the historic occasion and sat alongside other Commonwealth Heads of State.
Westminster Abbey has been the site of every British Coronation since that of William The Conqueror in 1066 and King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, followed in the footsteps of this grand tradition in a service themed “Called to Serve”.
The Service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, with faith leaders and representatives of the Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish communities processing through the Abbey ahead of the service.
King Charles III took the solemn oath to govern the people of the United Kingdom with justice and mercy and to foster an environment where people of all faiths and beliefs can live freely after placing his hand on the Bible. He later kissed the holy book.
