As many world leaders gathered yesterday to witness the swearing-in ceremony of the new King of the United Kingdom, King Charles III at London Westminster Abbey, many too, protested against the royal family with “Not My King”!
The British populace witnessed another such spectacular tradition after 70 years since the last monarch was crowned, as King Charles III ascended the throne.
Charles, the then Prince of Wales, became King after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022.
Queen Elizabeth II, who was the longest-serving British monarch, had eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and King Charles, who is her eldest son among four siblings, is now the oldest monarch to be crowned.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, Justin Welby, who led the ceremony anointed King Charles with holy oil after which he took the Coronation Oath.
“I come not to be served, but to serve,” Charles said in his first remarks of the ceremony.
The newly installed King assured the British public of his commitment to govern with justice and mercy and be a blessing to all faiths.
The coronation procession, which was presided by Welby, drew the attention of numerous world leaders and notable figures, who gathered for this momentous occasion that lasted for two hours at Westminster Abbey.
The event also attracted all the leaders of the Commonwealth countries, including Canada and Australia, and also saw the first lady of the United States, Jill Biden, in attendance.
Among the world leaders who rejoiced with the new British monarch on the occasion of his coronation, were the United States President, Joe Biden, French President, Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, Chinese President, Xi Jinping, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Head of the European Union’s executive, European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, the foreign ministry in Greece and many others.
They also called for enduring friendship, cooperation, and peace.
Thousands of people also turned central London red, white, and blue yesterday, with a sea of Union Jack flags lining the streets for the coronation.
British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak made an appearance to give a speech during the procession.
He was also joined by past British prime ministers, including Boris Johnson, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, and John Major.
At the ‘Recognition’ section of the coronation, the Archbishop of Canterbury proclaimed him the “undoubted King”
After the proclamation was made, the congregation shouted ‘God Save King Charles!’, signaling the official commencement of his reign.
Members of the British royal family were in attendance. William, the Duke of Cambridge, was accompanied by his wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. They sat in the front row with their children for the ceremony.
The sole daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne, arrived in a green cloak that concealed her military outfit she later revealed to take part in the King’s coronation procession.
The well-secured event had over 4,000 members of the military providing security.
Prince Andrew, younger brother to the king, also shared the same pew with Prince William, while Prince Harry arrived alone. Recently, the royal family put up an announcement that only Prince Harry would be attending the ceremony.
“Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that The Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on May 6. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet,” the statement read in part.
Many speculated that it could be due to the existing bad blood between the royal family and Megan Markle who got married to Prince Harry in 2018.
Currently, both Megan and Harry are absolved of their official duties as royals.
Many lined up the 1.4-mile distance between Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace to celebrate the new king donning the St Edward’s Crown as he rode waving to his subjects.
“Not My King Protest” Erupts Amidst King Charles Coronation – Video
However, a pocket of protest was recorded with people carrying placards that read ‘Not My King’.
Even before Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, left Buckingham Palace aboard the Diamond Jubilee State Coach for a rainy procession to the abbey, police arrested dozens of the protesters.
Anti-monarchy Brits protest against the monarchy and King Charles III’s coronation.
Before the coronation ceremony, the head of the United Kingdom’s main republican group and other anti-monarchist activists were also arrested.
