By RTL News ··Modified:
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Saturday is Coronation Day, the day when King Charles is officially crowned. From carriages and crown jewels to sacred olive oil and coronation quiche: here’s what exactly will happen on May 6.
11.20 am (Dutch time): Parade
King Charles and Queen Camilla board their carriage and drive from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, where the coronation will take place. Two hundred British soldiers take part in the procession and another thousand line the route. However, the procession is much quieter than it was 70 years ago, when Queen Elizabeth was crowned.
Cute detail: Charles and Camilla go to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee carriage instead – according to BBC Less comfortable – The Gold State Carriage has been used at every coronation since 1831. The Diamond Carriage was built in Australia in 2012 to honour Elizabeth’s 60th birthday. The Gold State Carriage will be used on the return journey after the coronation.
Early adopters are already waiting all the way:
12 noon: Westminster Abbey Service
Charles and Camilla will arrive at Westminster Abbey around noon, and the service will last two hours. Compared to Elizabeth’s coronation, only a handful of guests have been invited, says UK correspondent Anne Senen. “This has been done deliberately to keep the service cheap. In these times of inflation, the royal family doesn’t see fit to invite thousands of people. Charles has also chosen to invite many ordinary Britons rather than heads of state and nobility. 850 citizens are coming who have received the bar or are doing voluntary work.”
Willem Alexander and Maxima
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima have also received an invitation. Princess Beatrix and Princess Amalia are not allowed to attend the coronation, but have been invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace on Friday evening.
The service consists of different stages. In the first stage, King Charles is introduced to “the people”. In the second stage, Charles takes the Coronation Oath. In it, he promises to uphold the law and the Church of England during his reign and to be a “faithful Protestant”.
Holy olive oil
The third stage is the anointing with the holy olive oil in Jerusalem. Charles becomes not only the official King of England, but also the head of the Anglican Church. “The holy oil is poured onto a very special silver spoon,” says Sainen. “This spoon dates back to the 12th century and has been used for anointing since 1603.” We cannot see the sacred ritual. “It is a very personal and intimate moment that will take place far from the world’s view. A gold screen will then be placed around the chair.”
Crown 2.2 kg
The fourth stage is the grandest moment when Charles is literally crowned. “The crown is made of solid gold, contains over 400 precious stones and weighs 2.2 kilograms,” says Sainen. “Elizabeth has sometimes said that the crown is very heavy.” And expensive, of course. “After the service, the crown will immediately be placed under lock and key in the Tower of London. This is also where all the other Crown Jewels of the British Royal Family are housed.”
After the coronation, Charles will ascend to the throne. Then it’s Camilla’s turn. She’s been anointed, crowned and crowned, too, but unlike Charles, she doesn’t have to take an oath. The good news for Camilla is that her crown weighs just 590 grams.
3.30pm: Buckingham Palace balcony view
Since the coronation of Edward VII in 1902, it has been customary for the new monarch to greet crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The British royal family has not yet announced which members of the family will be attending, but according to Sainen, it is certain that Princes Harry and Andrew will not be on the balcony.
“Harry said he would return to the US straight after the coronation so he could be there for his son Archie’s birthday. I think it’s a wise choice. The British are happy for him to be at the coronation to show that. He cares about his father, but if he draws too much attention to himself, people won’t appreciate it.”
Walk and drink beer
And the British people? “63% of Britons say they have no plans on Coronation Day, but I doubt it. If the sun is shining they will probably go out and they will face it anyway. Most Brits go for walks and a beer. Very nice and relaxed,” says the reporter.
This picnic tradition is also taken into account. “A royal dish is always served during a coronation. For example, Elizabeth created a coronation chicken, a kind of curry chicken sandwich that you can still find under that name in the supermarket.” Charles also shared his favorite recipe. “He goes for a quiche with beans and spinach.”
prom
She said there would also be a concert in England for the rest of the weekend. British Royal FamilyOn Sunday, May 7, the King will host a concert at Windsor Castle that will be broadcast live. Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will perform, among others. Monday, May 8, is all about volunteering and is a public holiday for the British.
