Setting the scene for King Charles III's coronation
Fans of the British royal family will gather Saturday outside Westminster Abbey in London for the coronation of King Charles III. Pittsburghers who want to celebrate with other royal watchers but couldn’t cross the pond are cordially invited to observe the proceedings in Shaler.
Starting at 6 a.m. (11 a.m. London time), the nonprofit Britsburgh will host a coronation watch party at Ruckus Coffee Gallery Cafe on Babcock Boulevard in Shaler. Tea and shortbread will be served.
It is definitely a reason to wake up early, said Robert Charlesworth, a co-founder of Britsburgh, which hosts programs and events about British history, tradition and culture.
“The coronation is a marriage of the king to his people,” said Charlesworth, a native of England who moved to Pittsburgh over a decade ago.
Moreover, it’s been 70 years since the coronation of a British monarch. Queen Elizabeth II became the sovereign on June 2, 1953, at the age of 25.
A celebratory week
Britsburgh held several events leading up to the coronation. On Tuesday, Thomas J. Uram, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists, spoke about the Maundy money service. That’s when the king or queen distributes coins — Maundy money — to people.
King Charles III’s first Maundy service was April 6. Its origin comes from the commandment Jesus gave after washing the feet of his disciples. The originator of the Maundy service was King Charles II (1630-85), who Britsburgh director Kim Szczypinski spoke about on Wednesday. On Thursday evening, Benjamin Franklin reenactor Pat McBride discussed Franklin’s time living in London.
“A coronation is both the symbolic religious ceremony during which a sovereign is crowned and the physical act of placing a crown on a monarch’s head,” said Uram. “It formalizes the monarch’s role as the head of the Church of England and marks the transfer of title and powers. It’s a big deal.”
5 stages
Westminster Abbey has been the setting for every coronation since 1066. King Charles III will be the 40th to be crowned there.
Uram said there are five stages to the coronation, beginning with the recognition. While standing beside the 700-year-old coronation chair, King Charles III will be presented by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. The crowd will shout “God Save the King” and trumpets will sound.
The oath happens when King Charles III swears to uphold the law of the Church of England. He is anointed on his hands, breast and head with holy oil. For the investiture stage, he will be presented the royal orb (representing religious and moral authority), the scepter (representing power) and the sovereign’s scepter — a rod of gold topped with a white enameled dove, which serves as a symbol of justice and mercy.
The archbishop will then place St. Edward’s crown on the king’s head. King Charles III will move to the throne for the enthronement. Peers will kneel to pay homage.
His wife, Camilla — known as Queen Consort since the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022 — will be anointed and crowned. She will then be known as Queen Camilla.
How to watch
Coverage will begin at 5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on most major networks. The service is expected to last two hours.
As described on the British royal family’s official website (royal.uk.com), King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, will arrive in the King’s Procession in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach and leave in the Gold State Coach, the eight-horse drawn carriage featured at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee pageant in June. It is 260 years old and has been used at every coronation since 1831.
There will be a royal salute from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Armed Forces. Members of the royal family will appear on the balcony to watch a fly-past of military planes and helicopters belonging to the British Army, Navy and Air Force.
The royal family includes King Charles III’s siblings — Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — and Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales. Prince Harry will attend the coronation, though his wife, Meghan Markle, and their children will not.
Guests
More than 2,200 guests have been invited from around the world. Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco and Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko are among the international royal figures to attend.
U.S. First Lady Jill Biden will represent the United States, while President Joe Biden will not attend. French President Emmanuel Macron will be there along with representatives from 203 countries, including approximately 100 heads of state.
The “American Idol” judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry are expected to perform. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will take the stage at the coronation concert on Sunday at Windsor Castle.
Plant a tree
In keeping with King Charles III’s wish for a day of community spirit during the weekend, Britsburgh is partnering with Pittsburgh’s City of Asylum by collecting donations to plant trees in the City of Asylum garden to commemorate the coronation.
Tree Pittsburgh will also plant trees — perhaps to be named “King Charles III Grove” — during the Britsburgh Festival, which opens on Labor Day, Sept. 4.
5 coronation facts
• Since 1601, there has only been one Coronation in the month of May.
• The Gold State Coach is an enclosed eight-horse-drawn carriage used by the Royal Family on grand state occasions, such as coronations, royal weddings, and the jubilees of a monarch. It has been used at the coronation of every British monarch since George IV. Until World War II, the coach was the monarch’s usual transport to and from the State Opening of Parliament.
• The King will be crowned in St. Edward’s Chair, made in 1300 for Edward I and used at every Coronation since that time. It is permanently kept in Westminster Abbey.
• Steeped in history and tradition, the St. Edward’s Crown, made in 1661, will be placed on the head of The King during the Coronation service. It weighs 4 pounds and 12 ounces, or about 2.2 kg, and is made of solid gold.
• The Coronation Emblem for His Majesty’s 2023 Coronation was designed by Sir Jony Ive, who was formerly the Chief Design Officer of Apple.
Source: royal.uk
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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