Charles’ big day: this is how the coronation of the new king works today – you should know that

This Saturday, at London’s Westminster Abbey, the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury has 74-year-old Charles III. and his wife Camilla, who is a year older than him, wear the crowns. Eight months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the monarchy is once again offering people in the country and around the world a wonderful opportunity, and the British also have a day off on Monday. The topics around the holiday weekend:

Who’s coming, who’s staying?

As usual on such occasions, there will be a rendezvous for leaders from all over the world. Because US President Joe Biden did not want to make the strenuous journey, he was represented by his wife Jill. Therefore, French President Emmanuel Macron will be the main reigning head of state in the abbey. Federal President Alain Berset is from Switzerland.

A number of neighboring monarchs are moving away from the former royal etiquette, according to which crowned heads stay away on such occasions. Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands brings not only his wife and princess to the throne, but also his mother, ex-queen Beatrix. The kings of Norway, Sweden and Spain have also announced themselves.

Charles’ youngest son Harry has little to do with the monarchy, which is why there was speculation about his participation for weeks. Then it was said from California: it’s coming! And leave his wife Meghan, who is largely unloved on the island, at home, especially as their son Archie celebrates his fourth birthday this Saturday.

How popular are the royals?

Charles himself with 55 percent, his heir to the throne William and his wife Kate with about 60 percent enjoy approval ratings that British politicians have only dreamed of for years. The long-term trend, on the other hand, is viewed with some concern at the palace. The social research institute NatCen has been asking questions about the attitude of the British towards the royal family for 40 years. In 1983 almost two-thirds thought the institution was ‘very important’, this year it was 29 percent. “The monarchy is in trouble,” said Graham Smith of the lobby group Republic, which credits its cause.

On the other hand, the polls don’t exactly indicate that the British are really serious about getting rid of the royal family. One in four people in the country might describe themselves as “Republicans” – recently only 14 percent wanted to abolish the monarchy, and just over 20 percent among those under 34.

Will there be protests?

That is what Graham Smith and his fellow believers want to take care of. Republicans want to gather in central London’s Trafalgar Square, right on the route of the royal parade from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. Smith expects 2,000 participants and said:

Charles has occasionally faced protests in recent months. In York, northern England, student Patrick Thelwell threw at least five eggs at the monarch before he was overpowered by angry citizens and handed over to the police. Historian Symon Hill was arrested in Oxford for accidentally walking past the King’s public acclamation in September and shouting, “Who elected him?”

How much does the coronation cost?

A conservative estimate is over 100 million pounds, the equivalent of 112.6 million francs. The monarchical critic “Guardian” even speaks of 280 million francs and considers the whole thing “totally superfluous”. On the other hand, economists refer to the benefits to the national economy with figures that are difficult to verify.

Based on a representative study, Professor Joshua Bamfield of the Center for Retail Research in Norwich, eastern England, predicts additional revenue for hotels, pubs and shops of CHF 1.6 billion. Moreover, according to Bamfield, the soft benefits of monarchy – “call it myth or charisma” – are essentially impossible to quantify.

What happens during the ceremony?

The procession starts at 11:20 am Swiss time. King Charles and Queen Camilla travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in an air-conditioned coach, the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.

At noon, the royal couple enters the church. The actual coronation ceremony begins. It would take about two hours. This includes the placement of the crowns by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Charles receives the St. Edward’s Crown, a crown from 1661 that weighs more than 2 kilograms, Camilla the smaller and lighter Queen Mary’s Crown.

What happens after the coronation?

True to tradition, the monarch and his wife travel back to the palace around 2 p.m. in the unsprung, heavily swaying state coach from 1762, the Golden State Coach. Since its construction, all monarchs have sat on the velvet and satin in the gilded wood carriage on the occasion of their coronation. On arrival there is a military parade, an invitation reception and finally the traditional wave on the palace balcony, marred by planes thundering past.

On Sunday, the action shifts to the streets and private homes of the British. They should celebrate the “Big Lunch” together, is the suggestion of the royal family. As a food suggestion, the organizers promoted a “coronation quiche” in advance, which was easy and cheap to produce and easy to share with others.

In the evening there is a pop concert in the park of Windsor Castle with greats such as Lionel Richie, Take That and lard tenor Andrea Bocelli. On Monday, which the British have been given a day off, they are supposed to sacrifice some time for good causes at the request of their king. (aargauerzeitung.ch)