70 years.
This time last year, the UK was preparing for the Platinum jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II. A cool, damp weekend, but at the same time a chance for the nation to party the weekend away.
2nd June 1953, coronation day, the weather was cool and wet.
6th May 2023, coronation day, the weather is due to be cool and wet.
However, this being the UK, we will not let the weather spoil an important national occasion. We have been granted an extra bank holiday Monday, or what has been described as a national volunteering day, a chance for citizens to give back to their communities. However, I feel the only things being given back on Monday will be the crown jewels to the Tower and the Stone of Destiny to the Scots. That is not to belittle those who will be volunteering, but rather highlight the peculiar build up to the coronation.
Unlike the golden, diamond and platinum jubilees, the royal weddings or even the royal funerals, there does not appear to have been a sense of excited anticipation. Look out of the window and see how many people have decorated their houses with union flag bunting or red, white and blue. Compare that to last June when even trying to obtain decorations from shops became a mission of who knew who and finding a party planning shop out in the sticks.
Why, then, does there seem to be a sense of a damp squib of a build up? I have my thoughts, they may be wrong, there may be an element of truth. Either way, don’t throw me in the Tower.
A coronation is a unique event. Unlike a funeral, wedding or a party, none of us have witnessed a coronation in colour or indeed witnessed a King being crowned. No other European monarch has a coronation. The title simply passes down on the death or abdication of the previous monarch. How or what are we supposed to do? Is this more of a forced celebration weekend than a jubilee? Yes, in 1953, the UK was facing austerity and still undergoing rationing. However, this was a post war period, there was a promising future emerging, the UK was rebuilding and a young Queen was being crowned for the first time since 1837. King Charles has been the longest serving heir in UK history, he is already an old man, in fact, he is at an older age ascending the throne than the previous 5 crowned Kings (George VI, George V, Edward VII, William IV and George IV) were when they died. The air of excitement therefore can be argued to be subdued with the knowledge this reign may not last too long. Indeed, the reign of Edward VII lasted just 9 years after the death of Queen Victoria, the second longest reign in UK history when she died in 1901.
There is also the cost of living crisis (the causes of which I will not go into here). Nationally, we are all feeling the hit in our wallets, and a difference to 1953 is that there does not appear to be an end in site to the situation, there is no clear way through or inviting light at the end of the tunnel. Indeed, it is being argued that the huge cost of the coronation is a distraction from the event and the money really should be being spent elsewhere. Indeed, there are those out there who cannot afford to buy the bunting or party food and drinks to host a street event. The difference in the riches of those in high society and poverty has arguably never been so visible.
To counter that argument, it can be said that the alleged £200 million the jubilee is costing is actually a small drop in the ocean compared to the £60 billion the government wasted on a broken test and trace program and unsafe PPE for the pandemic. Remember the £350 million savings per week that was promised as a result of Brexit?
So, why then do we need a coronation? After all, as previously mentioned, other European monarchs don’t have one.
Well apart from saying that Kings and Queens have been crowned in ceremonies for over 1000 years and therefore answering “because it has always been that way” lets go back to Henry VIII. Most of us are familiar with the history of the Tutor king, the wives, the beheadings and divorces. What needs to be remembered is that he was Catholic when he was crowned. The reformation to a protestant church and establishment of the Church of England put the monarch, Henry, as the symbolic head of the church, answerable to God, with the archbishop of Canterbury taking care of the day to day running of the church. This divine right of kings would end literally on the executioners block on a cold January morning in 1649 when Charles I met his maker. Conversely 11 years later the UK decided that, actually, a monarch was the best leader of the land and so Charles II was invited back and crowned. The same crown jewels will be on display and worn by King Charles III. Anyway, I digress. The restoration of the monarchy meant the notion of divine right was no longer valid, but the monarch was still head of the church of England. The coronation therefore as much of a religious service and confirmation as it is a proclamation. Indeed, as the UK found out after the death of Elizabeth II, the proclamation of the new monarch takes places a couple of days later.
The crowing of the monarch by the Arcbishop of Canterbury.
The religious symbolism, anointment using holy oils, the Archbishop of Canterbury lifting St Edward’s crown onto the King’s head, the ceremony being held in Westminster Abbey are all pointers to the coronation being a protestant religious ceremony more than anything else. The King will be declared defender of faith, a title given to Henry VIII by the Pope at the time and used by every English and UK monarch since then.
70 years ago, the UK had a greater percentage of the population attend church on a Sunday, the notion of a Christian society much more engrained. We live in a much more secular society with the state and religion much more removed from each other. That is not to say we are a completely faithless nation, but rather attitudes have changed, you only have to see full churches at Easter and Christmas to see that.
Arguably, then, the coronation is a moment of history, tied to a medieval concept, later amended to link the monarch and Church of England together. Other European monarchs cannot claim this sacred link.
70 years, so much time has passed that we in the UK, or indeed the world, has forgotten what a coronation is and therefore how to behave towards one. King Charles III has recognised we have changed as a society since his mother’s coronation and he is slowly and subtly changing the monarchy and some of the coronation ceremony and processions to reflect that. It will still be spectacular and phrases Pomp, circumstance, pageantry and it is what the UK does best will still be used. After all, how else can we sell ourselves to the world?!
So, if you are planning on watching any of it, enjoy it, take it in, think about the history and significance of the event.
If you are not planning on watching it, enjoy the extended weekend with family and friends.
But, one thing will unite us all as it did 70 years ago. We will all be cold and we will all get wet.
As usual, a wonderful read! I, indeed, watched the Coronation; although I missed some of it due to the time here across the pond but I will go back and watch what I missed since I recorded it. Personally, I love the pomp and circumstance!!!
I very much enjoyed this!