Coronation ceremony: Public invited to swear allegiance to King Charles III

With less than a week left for the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, the preparation for the historic event is in full swing.

King Charles’ coronation on Saturday will include an invitation to the public to swear allegiance to the monarch and to his heirs and successors, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office said, as it published the liturgy to be used for the event, reported news agency Reuters.

Also, an array of historic chairs will be used for the coronation. The king and his wife Queen Consort Camilla will be seated in what are called Chairs of Estate and Throne Chairs at different points during the service, the palace said.

During the ceremony, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will read from the biblical book of Colossians at the coronation in keeping with the recent tradition of British Prime Ministers giving readings at State occasions, the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury revealed as part of the official Liturgy for the religious ceremony at Westminster Abbey, reported news agency PTI.

Lambeth Palace, the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury – Reverend Justin Welby, said that members of other faith traditions will play an active role in the service for the first time.

“The Archbishop of Canterbury has selected a new Epistle for this coronation, which will be Colossians 1:9-17. This passage has been chosen to reflect the theme of service to others, and the loving rule of Christ over all people and all things, which runs through this coronation Liturgy,” Lambeth Palace said.

COMMONWEALTH SYMBOLISM

Buckingham Palace has revealed that a cloth screen to be used for the most sacred part of the religious ceremony at the coronation will have strong Commonwealth symbolism with each of the member-country names, including India, sewn into the fabric.

According to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh leaders will take part in various aspects of the coronation. The ceremony also will include female bishops for the first time, as well as hymns and prayers sung in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic, as well as English.

Charles, whose coronation is scheduled for May 6, became monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in September last year.