LONDON: With only few days left to the coronation ceremony of the British Monarch King Charles III, the centuries-old practice of the Homage of the Peers — dukes — has been done away with and instead, a Homage of the People will be introduced.
According to Royal Central, the King’s desire prompted the move who wanted to make his Coronation “more befitting of the 21st century”. Organisers of the event claim that people watching the Coronation will be invited to join a “chorus of millions” to swear allegiance to the King and his heirs.
A Lambeth Palace spokesperson said: “Those watching and listening at home and elsewhere will be invited to make their homage by sharing in the same words – a chorus of millions of voices enabled for the first time in history to participate in this solemn and joyful moment.”
According to BBC, the order of service will read: “All who so desire, in the Abbey, and elsewhere, say together: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”
Besides the change in the pledge, there are several other changes that mark a departure from centuries-old traditions in the Coronation. Not only will this be the first time that a female clergy will play a key role, but King Charles himself will pray out loud, according to BBC. Moreover, religious leaders from other faiths as well are expected to play an active role in the Christian ceremony.
With a hymn set to be sung in Welsh, Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic, the Coronation will also be the first to incorporate other languages spoken in Britain. During the coronation, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Sikh peers will present the King with pieces of the coronation insignia which includes bracelets, the ring, the robe and the glove. Moreover, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak — a Hindu — will read from the biblical book of Colossians.
At the end of the religious service, the King will receive a greeting by the leaders of Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, and Buddhist religions. The move reflects King Charles’ deeply-held belief in promoting unity among different faiths through championing interfaith dialogue and celebrating the major religions practiced in the UK, the BBC said.
A Lambeth Palace spokesperson described the greeting as “an unprecedented gesture that will reflect the religious diversity of the Realms of King Charles III”.
Moreover, it is pertinent to note that while the three oaths — including the promise to maintain “the Protestant Reformed Religion” — that are the crux of the service remain unchanged, the
Archbishop of Canterbury will “contextualise” them, a spokesperson of the Lambeth Palace said. He further said: “The religious and cultural context of the 17th Century was very different to today’s contemporary, multi-faith Britain. So, for the first time, there will be a preface to the Oath.”
