LONDON: King Charles III plans to take a shorter cut and smoother ride to Westminster Abbey for his coronation, trimming the processional route taken by his mother in 1953, as he aims for a more modest event with few Modern touches will be included, Buckingham Palace said on Sunday.
The low-key ceremony on May 6 will still be steeped in ancient traditions and decorated with royal regalia from the Crown Jewels, but will also feature its own bespoke emoji depicting the first British crown of the social media era. 70 years ago the first coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was broadcast on television.
In a break with tradition, Charles and Camilla will exit Buckingham Palace in the horse-drawn gilded Black Diamond Jubilee State Coach built for the 60th anniversary of the Queen consort, Elizabeth. It has heat, air conditioning, power windows and a suspension system that will provide a more comfortable ride than its habitat for its mother’s entourage.
The 1.3-mile (2-kilometre) route is slightly shorter than the route Elizabeth took to the royal church. The procession will pass through the Admiralty Arch; past Trafalgar Square and a statue of Charles I, the beheaded king in 1649; and by the Houses of Parliament before arriving for the 11am religious service.
While Charles wants to show that the monarchy is still relevant in modern, multicultural Britain, he has said he plans to reduce the institution. The coronation is expected to take place with a smaller, less extravagant ceremony than the three-hour service that installed Elizabeth II.
Nevertheless, most of the priceless coronation regalia used over the centuries will be part of both Charles and Camilla’s crowns, including five symbolic swords, two sceptres and the Sovereign’s sapphire ring with a ruby cross set in diamonds.
Camilla, who will be crowned Queen Mary, will hold a controversial scepter made of ivory. There is an almost total ban on the trade in ivory products in Britain and Prince William, the heir to the throne, has campaigned against the illegal trafficking of animal parts.
During a ceremony conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, Charles will be crowned king with the St Edward’s Crown, the centerpiece of the Crown Jewels, which is viewed by millions each year at the Tower of London.
The crown, which is the inspiration for the coronation emoji, has a 4.9-pound (2.2-kg) solid gold frame set with rubies, sapphires, sapphires, garnets, topazes and tourmalines and has a purple velvet cap and ermine band. It was worn by Elizabeth during her coronation and has been refitted for her son.
At the end of the ceremony, Charles Lighter will carry the Imperial State Crown in procession back to the palace.
Unlike the 8 kilometer route that Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip took around London in 1953, Charles and Camilla will return the way they came, but on the 260 steps used at every coronation since William IV in 1831. Year old car.
The Gold State Coach, which weighs 4,000 kg, and is pulled by eight horses, is known for its infamous ride.
Elizabeth described it as “terrible”, Queen Victoria complained of “disturbing oscillations”, and William IV “known as the Sailor King” said it was “a ship in rough seas”. to ride on”.
Martin Oates said, “When you’re following it you can hear it creaking, it sounds like it’s being run over with an old galleon.” “It’s not quite a washing machine, but where other vehicles just go from back to front, this one is going from side to side.”
The gilded box is so heavy that it can only move at a walking pace. This should give passers-by more time to see the newly crowned king and queen. Troops on parade will salute the King and Queen in Buckingham Palace gardens, followed by three cheers by service members.