The biggest military parade in the last 70 years will round off the coronation of Carlos III

The United Kingdom is preparing for another show of pomp and supreme precision, and for that it will call on its experts on the ground: its soldiers. Eight months after the imposing state funeral of Elizabeth II, thousands of uniformed officers will once again circle central London, this time with a happier reason: to round off the coronation of Charles III.

About 7,000 men and women of the army, navy and air force, as well as about 400 military personnel from 35 Commonwealth countries (Commonwealth) will participate in two parades that will be held in the British capital next Saturday.

In the first, and smallest, some 200 military personnel, who will accompany the kings from Buckingham Palace to the nearby Westminster Abbey. A second military parade will take place after the end of the coronation ceremony, in the early afternoon; and in it, thousands of uniformed men will escort the monarchs back to the palace.

The Government did not hesitate to describe the deployment as “the largest military ceremonial operation” in seven decades. In the same way, the authorities have reported in recent days that More than 60 aircraft, including planes from World War II and modern fighters and helicopters, will fly over the city center.

looking for precision

For weeks now, different units have been arriving to participate in the events training in the center of London. However, the first in a series of exercises was held last Sunday at Odiham Air Base, about 80 kilometers southwest of the British capital, with all uniformed personnel who will be at the events. British television broadcast images of hundreds of men and women marching to the beat of marching bands along the runway of a military airfield, under the watchful eye of their superiors.

“We can be extremely proud of the professionalism and precision of our Armed Forces in honoring His Majesty, their new Commander-in-Chief,” said Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who promised that “from the parade down the Mall, to the flyover over London, passing through rain of gun salutes at sea and across the country, it will be a spectacular and fitting tribute and privilege for all involved that will be watched from afar.” The deeds, however, pale in comparison to those carried out In 1953, when the mother of the current sovereign, Elizabeth II, was crowned. On that occasion, about 16,100 soldiers took part in the parade, which had a route five times longer than the current one.

Criticism for costs

Carlos III’s attempts to avoid controversy over the cost of his coronation failed. Despite opting for shorter and more austere ranks, it emerged on Monday that the monarch had asked for the chairs used at his mother’s and grandfather’s coronations to be reused instead of buying new ones. What news The government will pay more than 100 million euros for the cost of the festival Citizens were not satisfied. As many as 51 percent of Britons reject luxury being financed with public money, according to a YouGov survey published two weeks ago.