As more than 100 heads of state and other dignitaries attend King Charles’ coronation this weekend, all eyes will be on the British royal family.
Upon the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in September, King Charles ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom as well as 14 other realms. He will take an oath on Saturday to defend the law and the Church of England, be anointed with sacred Chrism oil that was consecrated in Jerusalem, and receive objects from the Crown Jewels that represent the monarch’s power among other things.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will then crown him, and after a mile-long parade, he will return to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach.
During the occasion, Camilla, Charles’ second wife, will have a shortened, miniature coronation.
After Camilla was blamed for the dissolution of Charles’ first marriage to the beautiful Princess Diana, she was for many years referred to the headlines as the most despised woman in Britain.
However, Camilla gradually assumed a more visible position, and the couple got hitched 18 years ago. Polls indicate that the public is still apprehensive with Camilla holding the title of Queen Consort, despite the late Queen Elizabeth’s approval last year.
Prince William, Charles’ eldest son and the rightful heir to the throne, will play a prominent role in the coronation. He will pay tribute to his father by kneeling before him and swearing allegiance as “your liege man of life and limb.”
George, the second-in-line to the throne and nine-year-old, will be one of the king’s four pages of honour and participate in the procession through Westminster Abbey in London.
Prince William, Charles’ eldest son and the rightful heir to the throne, will play a prominent role in the coronation. He will pay tribute to his father by kneeling before him and swearing allegiance as “your liege man of life and limb.”
George, the second-in-line to the throne and nine-year-old, will be one of the king’s four pages of honour and participate in the procession through Westminster Abbey in London.
Prince Charles, Charles’ youngest son, is fifth in line to the throne and resides in California with his American wife Meghan after resigning from the royal family to lead a freer life.
Since then, the pair has claimed that several royals, including Camilla and Harry’s brother William, have leaked information to tabloid media in an effort to protect or boost their reputations.
Harry will not participate in the procession or have a formal role in the wedding. It is unknown if he will accompany the family when they appear on the balcony later on Saturday to greet the people.
Along with their two kids, Meghan will stay in the country. On the day of the coronation, Prince Archie, their oldest son and the sixth in line for the throne, turns four.
The position known as “Gold Stick” was established during the reign of Henry VIII when a devoted courtier charged with the sovereign’s personal safety was instructed to ride by the monarch’s side. Charles’ sister Anne will ride in the procession behind Charles and Camilla’s carriage in this position.
The third child of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Andrew, will be present at the coronation but will not be participating in any official capacity.
Andrew’s association with the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, and an associated allegation of sex assault led to the removal of most of Andrew’s titles in recent years, as well as his removal from royal duties.
Andrew reached a settlement with a lady who had accused him of sexually assaulting her while she was a teenager in a US lawsuit in February 2022. He has never been accused of a crime and has always maintained his innocence.
