It was made to wait almost 70 years. The United Kingdom has not witnessed the coronation of a monarch since June 2, 1953, when a young Elizabeth II entered Westminster Abbey as the protagonist of one of those ceremonies that become history. The queen was 26 years old and her son Carlos hers, just four. Sitting next to his grandmother Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, the heir to the throne was still too young to take notice for his own coronation, which was long in coming.
Now, at the age of 74, he will be the protagonist of a ceremony that aims to be more austere than his mother’s, although the figures being considered are still worthy of a king.
Westminster Abbey has a capacity of 2,200 people, a figure that will quite match the guest list. In this way, it is possible to avoid expanding locations, as happened at the coronation of Elizabeth II, which was attended by some 7,000 people.
The coronation will be broadcast live around the world. The audience is expected to reach 300 million viewers, thus surpassing that obtained by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, which reached 277 million.
The coronation will mobilize some 4,000 military personnel from across the Commonwealth and British Overseas Territories, and all of the UK Armed Forces Services, along with The Sovereign’s Bodyguard and Royal Watermen.
On the day of the ceremony, more than 9,000 police officers will patrol the streets of London, along with 2,500 members of law enforcement specialists, explosives experts and surveillance officers.
Although an official figure has not been provided, it is estimated that the ceremony will cost about 100 million pounds, that is, about 115 million euros. A much higher amount than the last coronation, mainly due to the large security operation that has been deployed.
The ceremony is expected to have a significant economic impact on the City of London. It could leave around a billion pounds in the hotel sector and more than 62 million pints served to quench thirst and toast the health of the new monarch.
Charles III will become the 40th sovereign to be crowned in Westminster Abbey. The first monarch to opt for this scenario was William the Conqueror in 1066.
The 1300 Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward’s Chair or King Edward’s Chair, is one of the oldest relics of the British monarchy. Made of oak and covered in gold leaf, it has just been restored for the coronation of Carlos III. Before him, 38 monarchs sat on it.
The Crown of Saint Edward is one of the oldest symbols of the British monarchy. It was made for the coronation of Carlos II in 1661, weighs 2.23 kg and contains 444 precious stones.
King Carlos III himself has selected the music for the ceremony and has commissioned the composition of twelve pieces, including a coronation hymn, by Andrew Lloyd Webber; a coronation march, by Patrick Doyle; or an organ solo by Iain Farrington.
At coronation time, a 62-round salute will be fired from the Tower of London and a six-gun salute from Horse Guards Parade.
It is the distance that the kings will travel in the two parades that they will star in. The first, the King’s procession to Westminster Abbey, will be carried out with the Diamond Jubilee carriage, drawn by six gray Windsor horses and with the participation of some 200 members of the Armed Forces. The second, after the coronation, will be slower and will be carried out with the Golden State carriage.
When the king and queen appear on Buckingham’s balcony with other members of the royal family, there will be an air show involving more than 60 British Army aircraft.
