On Saturday 6th May 2023, the UK will mark an important date in its history. We will all bear witness to the coronation of King Charles III, where both he and his Queen consort Camilla will be crowned King and Queen respectively. For some people who are in favour of the monarchy, this occasion will be celebrated with street parties, dancing and all manner of festivities. While for others who have their reservations about the new King or Queen, it may be a day they wish to forget or pass by without much recognition.
Even though both feelings are legitimate and should be respected, we as nationalists and lovers of our homeland should be focusing on the most important aspect of the coronation, the tradition and history of the ceremony itself.
We are a people of tradition, we are a people who remember our past well and celebrate it with each generation that passes. The history of Kings and Queens on our island is more than a millennia old, dating further back than the first recognized King of England, King Athelstan, who reigned from 924 to 939 AD.
In total we have recorded 66 kings and queens of England, 14 kings and queens of Scotland, 12 monarchs of Great Britain (Under the union of England and Scotland in 1707), and 6 monarchs of the United Kingdom (under the union of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801).
To go alongside the great number of rulers we have had. We can also look at the traditions surrounding them. The coronation is a ceremonial expression of the nation’s reverence for its monarch and its traditions. The coronation is steeped in symbolism and ritual, from the anointing with holy oil to the placing of the crown on the monarch’s head. These rituals have been performed for centuries and are steeped in history and tradition.
Through the coronation, we reaffirm our commitment to these traditions and to the monarchy as an institution. Coronations in the UK have remained much the same for more than 1,000 years. The British ceremony is the only remaining event of its type in Europe.
So regardless of personal preferences, it’s important to acknowledge the historical importance of the King’s coronation. Even if you choose not to partake in the celebrations, it’s hard to deny the significance of this event that is still continuing to this day.
