Charles took over Britain from his mother, Queen Elizabeth, after her death in September and, aged 74, will become the oldest British monarch to wear the 360-year-old Crown of St Edward. years, when he takes the throne of the fourteenth century. in Westminster Abbey in London.
Under the gaze of a hundred heads of state and dignitaries, including the American first lady Jill Biden, Charles will be crowned, like 40 of his predecessors, at Westminster Abbey, which has seen all the coronation ceremonies of the country since William the Conqueror in 1066.
His second wife, Camilla, 75, will be crowned queen consort at the two-hour ceremony. Although the ceremony is steeped in history, its officials will attempt to portray the image of a monarchy and a forward-looking nation.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “No other country can offer such a dazzling spectacle…the processions, celebrations and festivals in the streets.”
He continued, “It is an expression of pride in our history, culture and traditions…living proof of the modern character of our country and the rituals we cherish that are generating a new era from within.”
Despite Sunak’s enthusiasm, the coronation will take place amid a crisis of high prices and popular skepticism about the role and importance of ownership, especially among young people.
The ceremony will be on a smaller scale than that staged for the late Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953, but will nevertheless aim to be dazzling, with an array of historic symbols ranging from golden balls and jeweled swords to a scepter carrying the largest cut and colorless diamond.
Since early morning, tens of thousands of people began to flock to The Mall, a wide avenue leading to Buckingham Palace, as uniformed soldiers and military bands marched past them.
Rachel Beasley, a 45-year-old housewife, came from her home in Switzerland with her husband and two children.
“It’s a historic moment. We wanted to be here to witness it for some memories,” she said, as she stood next to her son, who was wearing a mask of Charles’s face, and of his daughter, who wore a headband in the colors of the British flag.
The festivities will continue on Sunday with street parties across the country and a concert at the King’s House at Windsor Castle.
And Andy Mitchell, 63, a teacher who left home in the early hours to come to London, said: “It’s great to see everyone dressed up to take part. It’s something to be proud of. ”
He continued, “What worries me the most is that young people are losing interest in all of this, and things won’t be like this in the future.”
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