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Charles III, the United Kingdom awaits the king’s coronation
Everything is ready for the coronation of Charles III and Queen Camilla. The ceremony, which will begin at 12 noon Italian time, is formal, religious and over a thousand years old. Its high symbolic and political value aims at projecting the image of the monarchy and Great Britain. The entire event, dubbed ‘Operation Globe’, has been planned down to the last detail to create a solemn and festive atmosphere at the same time.
The day will begin with a royal procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. Here, Charles will be sworn in as sovereign and anointed with oil by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Finally, he will receive the symbols of his power: the crown, sceptre and orb.
For the procession, Charles chose a more comfortable and springy Diamond Jubilee carriage, drawn by six horses, instead of the traditional golden carriage used in previous coronations. Some 6,000 men of the armed forces will take part in the ceremony, making it the largest military ceremonial operation in 70 years.
After the ceremony, the sovereigns will greet the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, followed by a flyover of military aircraft. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who will officiate at the ceremony, said that the coronation will be “a celebration of who we are today in all our beautiful diversity” and a reflection on the country’s past and future, during which prayers will be said for the new sovereign and thoughts will be given on how to serve others.
