GOD Save the King. This is not a plea for King Island (named after Philip Gidley King, 3rd Governor of NSW), but it is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s final declaration at the King Charles III coronation Saturday, May 6.
Whether pro-Republic or Monarchist, the first British coronation in 70 years and in most people’s lives, will be watched by Australians, on TV, or via global multiple platforms that are streaming the live coverage. If you’re watching from Australia, you can expect the action to kick off on Saturday at 5 pm AEST on ABC and ABC News, Foxtel, UK streaming services and 7plus channel.
The scaled-down, simplified, onehour ceremony in Westminster Abbey, will have British pageantry and ritual, in its most regal, opulent form. One of the more controversial changes is that members of the public in Britain and its territories, which include Australian audiences, will be invited to swear allegiance to the King, out loud, in the first-ever Homage of the People. This has attracted widespread criticism as Australia plans a referendum on the monarchy.
There will be a gold coach, that’s only used on this type of royal occasion, fanfare played by herald trumpeters, ceremonial and celebratory flags adorning the Abbey and roadways. The coronation is a religious service. King Charles III is head of the Church of England (Anglican) and the supreme governor.
It is expected that other faith prayers will be incorporated for the first time, and he will take an oath to defend Christianity. The ceremony has retained a similar structure for over 1,000 years. While there has been some modernisation, the rituals such as anointing with Jerusalem made and blessed oils, the King’s blessing, oaths, orbs, sceptres, regalia and the crowning of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
It is expected that the coronation will be the most-watched event in Australian history exceeding Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 (8m viewers) and Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral (metro and regional 5.17m) and that does not include viewers using other technologies.
In the UK Republic UKspokesperson Graham Smith said that analysis suggests global viewing figures are expected to be between one 100 and 300 million or more, which he says will mean 7.7bn and 7.8bn will “ignore the event.”
King Charles is Australia’s head of state and his representative, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, will be attending the coronation and as patron of the Keep Australia Beautiful organisation will be on King Island on May 19 to present this year’s National Awards.