Once anointed, The King is vested in priestly garments that symbolise both humility (the Colobium Sindonis) and splendour (the Supertunica, Stole, and Robe) reflecting the two natures of Christ who ‘though he was in the form of God … emptied himself … being born in human likeness’ (from Philippians 2: 6–8). Beneath him, the Cosmati pavement symbolises the whole cosmos on the Day of Judgement, when Christ will judge all things in his mercy the King of kings, whom all Monarchs are called to reflect, and to whom all must give an account.

A Screen shields The King from view as he sits in the Coronation Chair for this most solemn and personal of moments. Then, for the first time at a Coronation, The King prays publicly for grace to be ‘a blessing to all … of every faith and belief’ and to serve after the pattern of Christ.Īfter the sermon, the ancient hymn Veni, Creator Spiritus is sung in languages from across the United Kingdom, calling on the Holy Spirit just before the most sacred part of the Coronation rite - the anointing with holy oil. Bible passages will be read from the letter to the Colossians and the Gospel according to St Luke the Archbishop will preach a short sermon hymns will be sung and bread and wine will be offered, consecrated, and received by The King and Queen, to strengthen and guide them in their public service.Įarly in the service His Majesty The King turns to each of the four points of the compass and is recognised by his peoples as their ‘undoubted King’, who acceded immediately upon the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.Ī Bible is presented to The King, upon which he swears oaths to govern the peoples with justice and mercy and uphold the Churches. Today’s service draws on that long tradition, set once again within the context of the Eucharist, which is the defining act of worship for the Church universal. It was further modified over the following centuries, adapting to changing needs. The rite of Coronation in England, which is really a series of ancient rituals, has its roots in the ninth century and was codified in the fourteenth in a book called the Liber Regalis, which the Abbey still possesses. For almost a thousand years, Westminster Abbey, with the Shrine of St Edward, King and Confessor, at its heart, has remained the place of coronation for our Monarchs. He set his sights on being crowned in the new Abbey Church that Edward the Confessor had built beside his Palace at Westminster. When William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold at Hastings in 1066, he was determined that he should be seen as the legitimate king of England. Here is the order of service for the King’s coronation, which will take place at 11am at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May:

AL by Charles W. Lamb