Opinion: Then the King spoke his first prayer and the gravity of coronation swept through Westminster Abbey: “I come not to be served but to serve.” Even stony hearts should have softened.
I mean no disrespect. But the— orb, sceptre, spurs and swords, the Stone of Scone, bracelets signifying sincerity and wisdom, silver-gilt spoon for the anointing with holy oil — are all sacramentally arcane, medievally obscure, pulled from the mists of time into the 21st century.
Erased in so many ways from the pageantry and the historical record of the only coronation many of us will ever witness. And that’s on. The rebellious, erstwhile, endlessly grousing son who abandoned country and clan in an act of stupendous self-ostracism.
The 74-year-old King, oldest ever crowned, arrived clad in the Imperial mantle but was required to make a clutch of sartorial quick changes over the next hour.
The Abbey congregation nonetheless included a who’s who of crowned personages — nine European royals, representatives of royal families from Bhutan, Jordan, Tonga and Thailand and the Imperial house of Japan, plus a bunch of rounders from deposed monarchies — and about half of the global leaders , 90 heads of state, 14 prime ministers, Justin Trudeau among them.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Coronation of King Charles III: King Charles III officially crowned KingFollow thestar.com for all the latest developments on the coronation in London on Saturday and for updates on the Royal Family.
Read more »
Coronation of King Charles III: King Charles III and Camila crowned King and QueenFollow thestar.com for all the latest developments on the coronation in London on Saturday and for updates on the Royal Family.
Read more »
Coronation of King Charles III: New pictures of the Royal Family on coronation eveKing Charles hosted a lunch at Buckingham Palace on Friday with prime ministers and governor generals and surprised crowds of well-wishers gathered outside.
Read more »
Coronation Outfits: The Best-Dressed Guests at King Charles' CoronationGuests at the coronation of KingCharles, from katyperry and Pippa Middleton to Sophie Trudeau, chose cheerful shades of pastel pink and buttercup yellow to celebrate the new monarch.
Read more »
Coronation of King Charles III: King and Queen have arrived at Westminster AbbeyFollow thestar.com for all the latest developments on the coronation in London on Saturday and for updates on the Royal Family.
Read more »
'Not My King': Police arrest anti-monarchy protesters ahead of King Charles' coronationPolice arrested the leader of the anti-monarchy group Republic hours before King Charles' coronation on Saturday and a number of other protesters who had gathered among the crowds lining the procession route in central London.
Read more »