On Saturday, a new chapter begins in the British royal family with the coronation of King Charles III. Although the ceremony has more than a thousand years of history, there will be new touches and changes regarding the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, 70 years ago.
Coronation is not a legal requirement, but it is a more formal confirmation of his role as head of state and the Anglican Church. During the ceremony led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Charles will receive the traditional symbols of the monarch and wear the crown of Saint Edward for the first time. Charles’s wife, Camilla, will be crowned queen consort.
The ceremony will have some differences from the previous coronation. It will be shorter than his mother’s, and a gesture to the evolution of the religious panorama in the UK, various religious leaders will participate. The procession will also be shorter, and Prince Harry, who made accusations of racism and media manipulation against the royal family, will attend, but Meghan will remain at home.
Opinion polls show that support for the monarchy has weakened in recent years. While criticism of the crown has been relatively mild, there is likely to be a much more open debate going forward about whether Britain still needs this antiquated institution or whether it should become a republic.
The public pays for the coronation, and it is estimated that it could exceed 100 million pounds. Officials expect a peak in tourism, and commemorative events and products abound that could trigger additional sales tax revenue.
The coronation is a reminder of the era when Great Britain was the most powerful country in the world. It remains to be seen whether the public will continue to support this institution or if we will see significant changes in the future.
