Many years ago, I told myself that I would no longer care about the royal family when Queen Elizabeth II passed away. But I found myself getting out of bed at 5:30 am on a weekend morning to watch King Charles III’s coronation. Why?
It’s been 70 years since we’ve seen a coronation, and television was not as prevalent as it is today. So, I didn’t want to miss this historic event.
Also, I am a little bit of an Anglophile. Since I have ancestry in all four realms of Britain, I’ve always had a fondness for British culture. I love all things British, so the pomp and circumstance of the coronation ceremony were of interest to me.
I find the tabloid obsession with the royals disgusting. Harry and Meghan are not my concern. I wish they’d just leave and enjoy the privacy they complain about. It’s wonderful to see Elizabeth’s family continue after her incredible tenure.
The pomp and pageantry that surrounds the coronation pay a beautiful homage to history while also looking forward with courage to the future. The coronation ceremony has elements that date back hundreds of years, but the ceremony speaks of the beginning of a royal’s reign as well as the future it represents. It was a beautiful sight to see.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Archbishop of Canterbury places St Edward’s Crown on The King’s anointed head. The clergy, congregation and choir all cry ‘God Save The King’.#Coronation pic.twitter.com/kGrV3W0bky
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 6, 2023
It is remarkable that the coronation service was also explicitly Christian, given how far Britain has strayed away from its Christian heritage. It was a common question whether Charles would make the coronation more woke. However, it remained Christian, despite Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s reading from the New Testament, declaring, “This Word of the Lord”. (At our home church we also have someone who reads scripture in this way. Charles gave a few token nods towards “diversity” but they did not distract from the service. The nods he made to his Greek Orthodox roots were also lovely.
As an American, I am also glad that our founders waged a revolution against British rule. The coronation was a strange experience that made me prouder to be American, mainly because I watched it all from a distance. I was able to admire the beauty of the service and its history without having to swear allegiance to the King.
We became a powerful force in the international arena without being loyal to a monarchy. Even in such a large nation, we proved that a republican government can work. We were able to forge our own identity and create an admirable past without being part of the British Empire.
I also feel a sense of pride when watching the coronation, because the British are important allies to us (even though our current president does not see them that way). Because of the “special relationship,” the U.S. and the UK have with each other, I can share in the joy with my British cousins. Even though I can’t share their pride directly, it makes me happy.
While some may be hating on the British, and that’s their right, I am celebrating with the UK. God bless the King but I am also grateful that Charles isn’t my king.
