Customs, political affiliation, and demonstrations: a blend of culture, politics, and activism.
A Historic Coronation: King Charles III Takes the Throne
On the 6th of May, 2023, Westminster Abbey was the stage for a momentous event - the coronation of King Charles III, marking the continuation of the British monarchy following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II [1][4]. This globally significant occasion served as a testament to the enduring connection between the British monarchy and Commonwealth realms, such as Canada, as evidenced by related exhibitions celebrating King Charles III’s relationship with the country [5].
The day was not without controversy, as protests echoed through several British cities, with slogans like "Down with the Crown" reflecting political and social dissent within the UK. Despite this, thousands of soldiers from the British Army and Commonwealth countries marched in the coronation procession, adding a sense of tradition and ceremony to the proceedings [2].
The coronation reinforced the constitutional monarchy traditions and the ongoing role of the British monarch in the Commonwealth. King Charles III’s reign is marked by a focus on modern issues, such as environmental protection and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, reflecting his long-standing interests [5].
The showbiz world was also represented at the coronation, with celebrities such as Nick Cave, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie among the guests [6]. Crowned heads from various Commonwealth realms also attended, including Willem-Alexander and Máxima of the Netherlands, Felipe and Letizia of Spain, Carl Gustaf and Victoria of Sweden, Frederik and Mary of Denmark, and Haakon and Mette-Marit of Norway [6].
Notable political figures were also in attendance, including French President Emmanuel Macron, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former British Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, US First Lady Jill Biden, and the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Olena Zelenska [6].
The royal family itself was a spectacle at the event. The three grandchildren of King Charles III - Charlotte (8), Louis (5), and Prince George (9) - attended the ceremony, with Charlotte and Louis sitting in the front row and Prince George serving as an honorary page for his grandfather [7]. Despite the absence of his wife Meghan and their two children, Prince Harry was present, marking a rare public appearance of the royal family [3].
The weather added a touch of unpredictability to the day, with the military aerobatics display being smaller than planned due to the drizzly conditions [8]. However, the Royal Family still marveled as the planes sprayed the colours of the national flag, the Union Jack, into the sky [8].
In the midst of the celebrations, civil rights activist Peter Tatchell criticized the police for blocking anti-monarchy banners and suppressing the right to peaceful protest [9]. Despite this, tens of thousands of people gathered in London’s city center to celebrate the royal family [10].
As the sun set on the historic day, the newly crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla traveled to Buckingham Palace in the 261-year-old Gold State Coach, signifying the beginning of a new era for the British monarchy [11].
[1] BBC News. (2023, May 6). King Charles III crowned at Westminster Abbey. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65248715 [2] BBC News. (2023, May 6). Thousands of soldiers march in King Charles III's coronation procession. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65249002 [3] BBC News. (2023, May 6). Prince Harry attends King Charles III's coronation alone. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65248797 [4] The Guardian. (2023, May 6). King Charles III crowned at Westminster Abbey in historic ceremony. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2023/may/06/king-charles-iii-coronation-live-news-updates [5] CBC News. (2023, May 6). King Charles III's coronation: What to know about the historic event. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/king-charles-iii-coronation-what-to-know-1.6720371 [6] The Telegraph. (2023, May 6). Stars gather for King Charles III's coronation. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/06/stars-gather-king-charles-iii-coronation/ [7] The Independent. (2023, May 6). King Charles III's coronation: Charlotte, Louis and George attend ceremony. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/king-charles-iii-coronation-charlotte-louis-george-b2233903.html [8] The Sun. (2023, May 6). King Charles III's coronation: Military planes fly over London in spectacular display. The Sun. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17982986/king-charles-iii-coronation-military-planes-fly-over-london-spectacular-display/ [9] The Guardian. (2023, May 6). Peter Tatchell criticises police for blocking anti-monarchy banners. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/06/peter-tatchell-criticises-police-for-blocking-anti-monarchy-banners [10] The Telegraph. (2023, May 6). Thousands gather in London to celebrate King Charles III's coronation. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/06/thousands-gather-london-celebrate-king-charles-iii-coronation/ [11] BBC News. (2023, May 6). King Charles III and Queen Camilla travel to Buckingham Palace in Gold State Coach. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65249270
- The coronation of King Charles III was not only an event significant to environmental science, with the new king's focus on combating climate-change, but also to social-media as various platform discussions erupted around the political and social implications of the event.
- As the new monarch ascended to the throne, policy-and-legislation and politics became primary focus points, with King Charles III's stance on various issues such as Indigenous reconciliation raising interest within environmental-science and general-news circles.
- The coronation demonstrated the intersection of pop-culture and the royal family, as celebrities like Nick Cave, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie mingled with other guests, heralding a potential surge in entertainment news coverage.
- Protests against the monarchy in European leagues like the UK echoed on various crime-and-justice and general-news outlets, emphasizing the need for vigilant policy-and-legislation watch in managing social dissent.
- Amidst the historical moment, accidents were also reported as several smaller military performances were cut short due to the unpredictable weather conditions, making it to general-news headlines.
- The football world paused momentarily as the coronation proceedings dominated the sports news, relegating match updates to the back burner for a day.
- Political analysts speculated on potential shifts in relations between Commonwealth countries, social-media and general-news outlets abuzz with concerns and discussions about the impact of King Charles III's reign on war-and-conflicts and related foreign policies.
- As scholars delved deeper into the historical significance of the coronation, they couldn't help but muse about the shifting landscape of the British monarchy vis-a-vis the country's civilian democracy, reflections that found their way into academic literature, never far from the realm of politics.
- In the entertainment world, the event sparked debates on the implications of celebrity attendance at such historic moments, addressing questions of commodification and political statement, while leading to discussions about social media, pop-culture, and the role of celebrities in broader societal issues.
