King Charles III

King Charles III has been King for just over a month, since the passing of his mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September. The coronation for King Charles II has been announced for Saturday 6 May 2023, which is eight months after becoming King. King Charles III will be crowned in Westminster Abbey and Camilla, the Queen Consort, will be alongside the King and will also be crowned in the historic ceremony. The Archbishop of Canterbury will preside over the anointing, blessing and consecration of King Charles III.

I have read about next year's coronation, and here are a few details published by BBC News

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63172425

King Charles III coronation will be the first for almost 70 years - the last being for Elizabeth II in June 1953 - and the first held on a Saturday since Edward VII in 1902. Elizabeth II was aged 27 at her coronation, after becoming Queen following the death of her father King George VI. The then Prince Charles, at the age of four, was among the guests watching his mother's coronation.

Buckingham Palace has indicated that the ceremony will combine the ancient and modern - saying it will be "rooted in longstanding traditions" but will also "reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future".

Coronations have been held at London's Westminster Abbey for more than 900 years, with the medieval church the setting for a ceremony that is a mixture of religious and constitutional symbolism. Monarchs traditionally sit in the 14th-Century King Edward's Chair and are crowned with the solid gold 17th-Century St Edward's Crown. They are given emblems of their royal role - an orb, sceptre and ring - and, if the template of previous coronations is followed, there will be a procession through the capital, featuring the horse-drawn Gold State Coach. Later that day, the newly crowned monarch usually makes an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

I thought it would be interesting to look up a few details about King Charles III and I learnt that he is the eldest, at age 73 years to become a Monarch in the history of the British Royalty. Becoming Prince of Wales in his younger years, the life as a Royal has always been in the public eye and the media always waiting to capture photos especially during the early years during the marriage and divorce with Princes Dianna Spenser.

It is almost 400 years since there was a King Charles, the 1^st was Charles I became King in 1625 and he was executed in 1649, due to religion politics. Read the link below to learn more. In later years his son Charles II became King and was known as a popular King of England, Scotland and Ireland.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_I_of_England

Charles I King of England, Scotland and Ireland

Charles I (19 November 1600 – 30 January 1649)

Charles I was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II_of_England

Charles II King of Scotland, King of England and Ireland

Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685)

Charles II was King of Scotland from 1649 until 1651, and King of England, Scotland and Ireland from the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy until his death in 1685.

Traditionally considered one of the most popular English kings, Charles is known as the Merry Monarch, a reference to the liveliness and hedonism of his court. He acknowledged at least 12 illegitimate children by various mistresses but left no legitimate children and was succeeded by his brother, James.

I have found a selection of photographs of King Charles III and of his life as Prince of Wales. His son Prince William now has the royal title Prince of Wales and is next in line for the throne.

This will be the first coronation of a Monarch in many of our lifetime, I myself have found it interesting learning about the traditions and ceremonies that continue into the 21^st Century.

Norfolk Island has strong links with the Royal family from Queen Victoria and the Royal visit in 1974. I am sure many members of our community will be following the Royal news about our new King.

Betty Matthews

October 2022