“I Come Not to Be Served but to Serve,” Says King Charles at His Coronation Ceremony at Westminster Abbey

On this historic day, His Majesty, King Charles III left the Abbey in near tears with a powerful depth of emotion during the prime moment of his coronation. King Charles addressed the audience with his very first words uttered at the Abbey, echoing the late Queen - his Mother, Elizabeth II: "I come not to be served but to serve," reports BBC. As the words were spoken, the 2,300 members of the audience fell silent.

Before he was anointed, King Charles had to be seated at the St. Edwards Coronation Chair which is in use for coronation since the1300s at the pristine Westminster Abbey. After being seated, his robe was kept aside for the next stage of coronation traditions' sacred proceeding. Shortly after, he was anointed by a pure gold ampulla - an eagle believed to have been passed down for decades after legend suggests that Mary, Jesus's mother gifted the said artifact to St. Thomas Becket to anoint future kings. The anointing spoon - made of silver gilt and pearls dating all the way back to the early 12th Century, was also used ceremoniously. 

He was then endowed with a golden robe, called 'Supertunica'. His anointing was accompanied by the melodious harmonics of the choir. King Charles III swore to keep his sacred pledges to the Nation at the two significant Coronation Oaths administered by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. The ceremony was structured in a very delicate yet inclusive manner as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby acknowledged the people of different faith he emphasized inclusivity by saying, "The Church of England will foster an environment in which people of all faiths can live freely."

Following his statement, he administers a legally required coronation oath, a moment of great importance. King Charles III swore to keep his sacred pledges to the Nation at the two significant Coronation Oaths administered by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. He asks King Charles a confirmation to uphold the law and morals and the Church of England during the period of his reign. The King then places his hand on the Holy Gospel as he pledges to "perform and keep" the said promises and also undertook the Accession Declaration Oath. 

The ceremony was in accordance with Christian dialects and customs, and the Bible reading was delivered by UK's current Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. Archbishop Justin Welby took back the coronation ceremony after Sunak's address and the Gospel music. Archbishop Welby emphasized the royal duty, "We are here to crown a king, and we crown a king to serve." 

The gathering was attended by allies from other countries such as the U.S.A's First Lady, Jill Biden accompanied by Finnegan Biden, her granddaughter, Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine, and others, along with leaders from Commonwealth countries. Famous personalities including Katy Perry, and Emma Thompson also graced the occasion. For the first time in decades of coronation ceremonies, women bishops also participated in the auspicious occasion making it a divine and proud moment in history.

Reference:

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-65474712

Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool