The Coronation on Saturday will be the first to incorporate other languages spoken in Britain, with a hymn set to be sung in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and Irish Gaelic.
The United Kingdom is about to crown a new ruler after its previous monarch, Queen Elizabeth II passed away.
Surprisingly, the coronation of the new monarch, King Charles III is being accompanied by several changes to the ceremony.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, says the service would “recognise and celebrate tradition” as well as contain “new elements that reflect the diversity of our contemporary society”.
The Public Oath
At the coronation ceremony, the public would be expected to swear allegiance to the king.
This is the first time the public will be given an active role in the ceremony.
People around the world will be asked to cry out and swear allegiance to the King.
This “homage of the people” replaces the traditional “homage of peers” where hereditary peers swear allegiance to the new monarch.
Instead, everyone in the Abbey where the ceremony will take place and those watching at home will be invited to pay homage in what Lambeth Palace describes as a “chorus of millions”.
The order of service will read: “All who so desire, in the Abbey, and elsewhere, say together: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury will then proclaim “God save the King”
Everyone would then respond with, “God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live forever”.
Female Clergy
Also for the first time, a female clergy will play a prominent role in the coronation.
A Female clergy will be involved in the service for the first time after the Church of England allowed women to become bishops in 2014.
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Guli Francis-Dehqani, and the Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, will administer communion alongside the archbishop.
Involvement Of Other Faiths
Although it is a Christian service, religious leaders from other faiths will also have an active part for the first time.
The Coronation on Saturday will be the first to incorporate other languages spoken in Britain, with a hymn set to be sung in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and Irish Gaelic.
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As part of the service, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, and Sikh peers will present the King with pieces of the coronation regalia, including bracelets, the robe, the ring, and the glove.
Also, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a practicing Hindu, will read from the biblical book of Colossians.
Furthermore, the blessing will be shared by leaders of different Christian denominations for the first time, including the Catholic Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
After the religious service has ended, the King will receive a greeting from Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, and Buddhist leaders.
This move reflects Charles’ deeply-held belief in promoting unity between different faiths through championing interfaith dialogue.
Unchanged
Despite changes designed to reflect other faiths and persons, the three oaths the King will take; which form the heart of the service, remains unchanged.
This includes the promise to maintain “the Protestant Reformed Religion”.
Archbishop Justin Welby says the coronation is “first and foremost an act of Christian worship”.
He prays that all who share in this service, whether they are of faith or no faith, will find ancient wisdom and new hope that bring inspiration and joy.
