William’s kiss, demoted Harry and “other faiths”: all the first times of the coronation of Charles III

The eternal heir to the throne today has another name: King Charles III and was also officially crowned. “I am here to serve, not to be served”, the words of the oath. At 74, after a lifetime of waiting, Elizabeth II’s eldest son had his ceremony at Westminster Abbey, alongside Camilla, the woman he has always loved and who is now queen. Something unthinkable about thirty years ago.

Charles wanted a more streamlined ceremony – 2,000 guests instead of the mother’s 8,000 – and shorter, about four hours, therefore half the time. And although a more solemn rite could not be respected and whose history dates back to a thousand years ago, he wanted to send a signal: from the last coronation (1953) Great Britain or even better the whole world has changed, and I know it.

And here we wanted to collect all the first times of the coronation of Charles III.

For the first time we have seen a son, Harry, relegated to the third row between the non-noble husband of a female cousin and 53rd in line to the throne. And again, to give a better idea, a son who arrived from California and left in less than 24 hours. The other son, the eldest, took his place in the front row and paid homage to his father the king with an unprecedented oath. William performed the ritual of genuflection and submission before the king after the formal coronation. The heir to the throne knelt and swore the oath promising “loyalty, faith and truth” before the traditional kiss on the cheek.

At his coronation, King Charles wanted representatives of all religions: from Islam to Hinduism, from Judaism to the Sikh religion. A representative of the Vatican was also present. The new swearing king spoke of «protecting other faiths». After the coronation sermon read by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, a Hindu, read a reading from the New Testament. For the first time, girls and boys from the choir of Truro Cathedral in Cornwall and from a boarding school in Belfast in Northern Ireland were also included in the Abbey choir. There is also a gospel choir.
Carlo also wanted to send another strong signal of multiculturalism. A key role was played by three black women: Baroness Floella Benjaminborn in Trinidad & Tobago and who sits in the House of Lords, handed him the scepter, the lady Elizabeth Anionwu, former Nigerian nurse, gave him the orb that represents authority on Earth while Baroness Valerie Amos, first black woman to be awarded the Order of the Garter, she joined the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Act of Recognition, as the King is introduced to the congregation. If 70 years ago the coronation was a matter for privileged white males, today it is no longer the case, it is in the name of inclusiveness, the same that British society rightly claims.

The anti-monarchists they met in Trafalgar Square, a few meters from the start of The Mall, the long avenue that leads to Buckingham Palace. “Not my king”, their slogan. Graham Smith, head of Republic, the main anti-royalty movement, and five other organizers of an anti-coronation protest were arrested en route to King Charles II’s motorcade

The pop star, who will sing at the big concert in honor of the new king tomorrow, attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Katy couldn’t resist a series of selfies among the desks and had a hard time finding her place. She then tripped on the way out, due to her high heels and wet floor. Katy, after all, is one of us.

All about the coronation of Charles III:

The coronation of Charles, follow the ceremony live with us

Kate Middleton flawless at the coronation of King Charles III: the photos

Camilla queen and the emotion for the coronation

Coronation Charles: the many faces of Prince Louis, always next to Charlotte

Coronation of Charles: Royals, stars and surprise guests, all guests at Westminster Abbey

Coronation of Charles: George of Cambridge is his grandfather’s page of honour

Coronation of Charles: what kind of king will he be? We tell you about it in a special episode of «Segreti Reali» with guest Antonio Caprarica

Coronation Charles, here is the day-by-day guide. From guests to appointments not to be missed

But are the British really interested in the coronation of King Charles?

Coronation Charles, confirmed the presence of Louis

Coronation of Charles III, revealed the role of William who will swear allegiance to the king

Coronation of King Charles III: date, guests and other important details

So William and Kate are preparing George for his historic role for the coronation of Charles

Princess Anne, who will play a special role on Charles’ coronation day

King Charles, who also invited Camilla’s ex-husband to his coronation

The coronations of Elizabeth II and Charles III have four guests in common

Lady Fiona Lansdowne and Annabel Elliot, who are the closest women to Queen Camilla