King Charles
Funny instruction to Archbishop for coronation revealed
Moving moment: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, sets King Charles puts on the crown at the coronation on May 6, 2023.
© Victoria Jones / POOL / AFP / Getty Images
The coronation of King Charles in May of this year was a major historical event. It was planned down to the smallest detail. A new documentary now shows the preparations and reveals surprisingly funny moments of the new monarch.
King Charles, 75, owes it not least to his numerous employees that his coronation on May 6, 2023 went off so smoothly. The BBC documentary “Charles III: The Coronation Year”, which will be broadcast on Boxing Day, now offers a look behind the scenes, showing the new monarch, his family and helpers the preparations for the historic event.
King Charles brief instructions to the Archbishop
These are rare impressions that viewers can catch of the British royals. While previously you only saw the broadcast of the solemn and somewhat stiff coronation ceremony, you can now experience the royal family rehearsing in a much more relaxed manner and in an almost private atmosphere.
Charles can also be heard discussing with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, 67, how he should place the St. Edward’s crown on his head. He gives the priest a brief and casual instruction. “Just push it on,” was Charles’ blunt demand. He adds: “It’s so huge, it needs to be put on properly and there’s nothing I can do about it.” The archbishop, however, expresses concerns. He explains that he will aim the crown to just above the eyebrow line. “I don’t want to break your neck,” he insists.
King Charles jokes about his “sausage fingers”
Queen Elizabeth’s son, †96, also shows humor in another scene when Prince William, 41, practices fastening a small brooch with which a lavish cape is fastened around Charles’ shoulders. “It won’t close that day,” says William. Charles replies: “No, you don’t have sausage fingers like me.” Both father and son have to laugh at the little joke. In the past, the king’s fingers have been a frequent topic on social media, with many referring to them as “sausage fingers.” A view that the 75-year-old obviously takes with humor.
Prince William swears loyalty to his father during the coronation ceremony and kisses him on the cheek.
© Yui Mok – WPA Pool / Getty Images
How close the relationship between the two is also becomes clear in another moment. During the ceremony in May, William solemnly swore allegiance to his king in front of an audience of millions and then kissed him on the left cheek. During rehearsals, however, the 41-year-old was still in the mood for jokes, tickling his father’s left cheek, which made him laugh, and then kissing his right one. “Wasn’t it this side?” Charles asks his son, pointing to his other cheek. “Your left cheek is better,” William replies cheekily, making even the clergy and helpers around them laugh.
Sources used: BBC, mirror.co.uk