Carlos III, ‘tic-tac’ for his coronation: the imposing four-ton gold carriage and ‘Harry Potter’

In London the script for May 6 is already written. As it is. The rundown of the coronation ceremony of Carlos III is traced to the millimeter on the Operation Golden Orb. It lasts a whole weekend because it covers the day before and the post party. On Saturday morning King Charles and King Camilla will lead a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, where the enthronement will take place. It is the so-called Procession of the King.

We will see two floats. In the pre-ceremony move, the monarch has decided to bring out the Diamond Jubilee, a light carriage that his mother brought in 2006. It will be in the procession back to the palace, with the king crowned, when we see the historic and imposing Gold State Coach , the Golden Carriage. The same one used by George III in 1762 and the same one that paraded in 2022 with the hologram of Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee. Eight Windsor Grays will pull the carriage due to its enormous weight (four tons). The entourage will go at a pedestrian pace. On this great tour, the King and Queen will be accompanied by the escort of the cavalry of the house, the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth and the British Overseas Territories and the British Armed Forces.

Westminster: God save the king!

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will officiate the Westminster ceremony, which begins with the recognition: Carlos III will take a seat in the chair of his ancestor King Edward. After throwing God save the king, the monarch will have to swear the law and respect for the church. In a second part of the ceremony, he will be anointed with the oil consecrated by the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The oil comes from the olive press of two olive groves on the Mount of Olives. The formula dates back hundreds of years. It will also serve for the anointing of the queen consort.

Ceremony of the 21st century, inclusive and eco

It will be a ceremony adapted to the new times, more inclusive, with visibility to other religious beliefs that attest to the cultural diversity of the Commonwealth, and with the participation of the heir, Guillermo, and the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. The Prince of Wales will pay his father the homage of royal blood.

Afterwards, the investiture will take place. Carlos will receive the scepter, three swords and a ring, a symbolic delivery of his power and authority, but also of his duty. Immediately afterwards, they will impose the crown of San Eduardo, cut and adjusted to the perimeter of his head. Afterwards, Welby will place the Imperial State Crown on him. As an extraordinary moment, Camilla also ascends. She will wear the crown of Queen Mary.

Music, between ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Cats’

Film music for Carlos’ big day. The coronation march is signed by the Scottish composer Patrick Doyle, author of the soundtracks of box office bombings such as Harry Potter, Murder on the Orient Express, Sense and Sensibility o Much ado about nothings. There’s another shiny name on the bill: Andrew Lloyd Webber. English composer of musicals Cats, The Phantom of the Opera y Evita has written the central anthem of the event. The orchestra, directed by the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano, director of the Royal Opera House, is made up of musicians from orchestras from the United Kingdom and Canada, whose patronage fell to the then Prince of Wales, such as the Royal Philharmonic, the National Philharmonic of Wales of the BBC or the Canadian Regina Symphony.

A television audience of more than 100 million viewers is expected. There is fear that the King, in an oversight, may trip over the heavy uniform and cape that he is going to wear. It is a much more austere and eco-friendly uniform (without fur) than the one worn by his mother at the ceremony 70 years ago, in 1953. The attendance of 2,000 guests is expected, including royalty, heads of state, presidents and Prime ministers.

Change of scenery. Back at Buckingham Palace, Carlos and Camilla will lead the Commonwealth Armed Forces parade and receive a royal salute. It will be that moment when the highly anticipated family photo takes place.

El post party

On May 7th the BBC organizes and broadcasts live the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. That same day will take place the Great Coronation Lunch, The Coronation Big Lunch, which encourages the neighbors and communities of the country “to share food”. Volunteering day will be celebrated on May 8 through The Big Help Out initiative that encourages participation in solidarity programs.