A Coronation for the King
Last year, when the Queen died, more than 29 million people watched her funeral. Last week, it was a markedly smaller number that tuned in to watch King Charles III’s coronation. There are obvious reasons that Charles III isn’t as popular as his mother, but one of the things I’ve found very fascinating is concept of a coronation, in particular the British Coronation. Now that I’ve had time to digest the coronation, here’s a few thoughts, mainly focused on the seriousness and religious aspect of the coronation.
A Coronation is Unique
Great British is the only country in Europe that still holds coronations, even though it’s not the only country to have a monarchy. The pomp and circumstance hold it apart, in a thoroughly modern age. But beyond that is the religious aspect, which I think is vital in understanding more of how the monarchy works here in Britain. But to understand that, a little history…
England severed ties with the Catholic Church in a pretty dramatic affair under Henry VIII. You know, divorce, heirs, new wife, that whole story. Key is, it came at a time when religious reformation was moving through the continent, and Henry VIII used that momentum to create the Act of Supremacy and make himself leader of the Church of England.
Despite his role, Henry VIII remained pretty staunchly Catholic in belief, all while dissolving the monasteries and conveniently allocating the money and lands to more deserving individuals, at least in his eyes.
It wasn’t until Edward VI that the Church of England became more along what it is today: broadly Protestant in belief with a focus on justification by faith alone. Gone were the icons, gold, and obvious indicators of wealth, replaced by the Book of Common Prayer and a constitutionally established head of state as supreme governor of the church.
A Coronation is Not An Inauguration
In today’s world, we’re far removed from the age of churches destroyed or damaged, icons melted down, and monasteries dissolved at the order of a King. But what hasn’t changed has been the serious, religious aspect of the coronation. An aspect that sets the British Coronation dramatically apart in the modern age.
It’s not just the pomp and circumstance that makes the coronation different. It’s the mention of faith woven throughout. The inauguration of a President of the United States is a celebratory affair, but in comparison, a coronation is sombre because it’s a vow between the King and God. As the Order of Service states:
“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. 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.”
This unique role puts King Charles III in a place that most modern people, particularly those who are not religious, do not understand. The service is serious because of what the King represents: humanity restored to its full dignity and glory in Christ, as ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation’ (1 Peter 2: 9).
Defender of the Faith
Years ago, Charles said he wanted to be a “defender of faith” as opposed to “defender of the faith”, and this was obvious in the coronation if you were looking for it. Breaking not just from tradition, but Canon Law and advice from the Archbishops, people from all faiths were included in the coronation. Yet, the King still vowed to be “Defender of the Faith.”
Why is this significant and why did Protestant denominations (including our Scottish based Free Church) push back?
Because “the Faith” is Protestantism, and a faith held to by his mother and most of his ancestors. An act of inclusivity is a modern addition.
The symbols of kingship, the orb, the sceptres, the ring, the gloves, all signify secular and spiritual power. But most sacred is the anointing with holy oil. As the Order of Service states:
“BLESSED art thou, Sovereign God, upholding with thy grace all who are called to thy service. Thy prophets of old anointed priests and kings to serve in thy name and in the fullness of time thine only Son was anointed by the Holy Spirit to be the Christ, the Saviour and Servant of all.
By the power of the same Spirit, grant that this holy oil may be for thy servant Charles a sign of joy and gladness; that as King he may know the abundance of thy grace and the power of thy mercy, and that we may be made a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for thine own possession. ”
And music triumphantly played during the anointing? Handels’ incredible Zadok the Priest, musically based off the High Priest Zadok who supported King David during the uprising of Absolom, and who anointed Solomon when it was his turn to be king. "So the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and led him to Gihon.
"There the priest Zadok took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, ‘Long live King Solomon!’" 1 Kings 1:38-39
In the end, Charles III remains “Defender of the Faith”, but he has inherited a very different country than his mother did. In a country where Christianity remains the dominant faith, but with more Sikhs and Muslims than ever before, there is a level of political carefulness to be undertaken.
His mother understood this in 2012 when she stated, “The concept of our Established Church is occasionally misunderstood and, I believe, commonly under-appreciated. Its role is not to defend Anglicanism to the exclusion of other religions. Instead, the Church has a duty to protect the free practice of all faiths in this country.
“It certainly provides an identity and spiritual dimension for its own many adherents. But also, gently and assuredly, the Church of England has created an environment for other faith communities and indeed people of no faith to live freely.
“Woven into the fabric of this country, the Church has helped to build a better society – more and more in active co-operation for the common good with those of other faiths.”
Conclusion:
A spiritually significant service, an older king, and so much tradition made this a fascinating watch. As an American living here, watching this through American eyes with an understanding of British history and culture, it’s been a fascinating breakdown. The seriousness of the service makes sense if you view it through a religious lens.
Traditions and history are fascinating to me, and a coronation of a British monarch is even more fascinating when you consider the long history upholding the modern coronation.