King Charles
The plan for his slimmed-down coronation ceremony
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With King Charles on the throne, a new era in the British monarchy begins. Not only is the royal family reorganizing under the new head, the monarch also wants to make drastic changes to his own coronation ceremony.
King Charles, 73, cleans up: By ascending the throne, he lets the people and family feel directly that a different wind will now blow in the British royal family. He has long been planning to streamline the monarchy. And apparently he’s taking a similar approach to his coronation.
King Charles renounces traditions at his coronation
King Charles reportedly wants to set the new tone for a modernized monarchy while retaining some traditions. But although this includes the centuries-old tradition of the coronation ceremony, Charles seems to want to make some serious changes.
While Queen Elizabeth, † 96, was crowned in a three-hour service in 1953, her son is said to have shortened his own ceremony to 60 minutes. 8,251 invited guests attended the coronation ceremony of the late monarch. Charles, on the other hand, should reduce his guest list to around 2,000 people according to the “Daily Mail” and not invite some MPs and nobles. In addition, there are discussions about introducing a more relaxed dress code. Instead of wearing a tuxedo, men can attend the event in a suit.
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“The king has greatly scaled back the coronation ceremony to reflect the fact that the world has changed in the last 70 years,” a source said.
No bullion for the king
In 1953, after her coronation, Queen Elizabeth took part in a procession through London where she could be seen by as many people as possible. Apparently, even King Charles does not want to do without such a procession through the city. Despite severe reductions at his coronation, he is even said to want to climb the golden state carriage from 1762, which was extensively renovated for his mother’s platinum anniversary in June 2022.
In return, it is said, the 73-year-old will refrain from the traditional handover of gold to the monarch in view of the current economic climate. At the ceremony in 1953, his mother was presented with a gold bar. “This will not happen at a time when people are feeling the pressure,” an insider told the Daily Mail. The velvet chairs that were made for the ceremony at that time should also give way to normal seating.
The historic event is traditionally organized by the Duke of Norfolk. Edward Fitzalan-Howard currently holds that title. The 18th Duke of Norfolk was also responsible for organizing the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth. Prince William, 40, is said to be involved in planning the coronation.
An exact date for King Charles’ coronation ceremony has not yet been announced, but it is believed to be scheduled for June 3, 2023. This would take place almost exactly 70 years to the day after his mother’s coronation.
Sources used: mirror.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk, hellomagazine.com