
The archbishop will anoint King Chares with holy oil, likely behind a screen, given that he must bare his chest.A procession to Westminster Abbey will allow the public to see the ceremonial garb worn by those participating (such as the House of Lords, House of Commons and Order of the Garter) each piece will have special meaning.Robeson says the world can expect to also witness the following: She calls the coronation “a fabulous ceremony with “lots of singing, lots of robes, lots of fur, lots of red!” “It’s sealing his kingship with the blessing of God,” Robeson says, and affirming his spiritual leadership duties hundreds of years ago, this was an important ritual that dissuaded subjects from revolting against even the “worst” kings. The coronation is a religious ceremony that will be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. King Charles’ coronation ceremony is scheduled for May 6, 2023. The more that monarchical traditions are seen, the more that royal continuity is emphasized. One notable difference: for the first time, it was recorded for all to see, a decision she thinks was made due in part to the more secular nature of the populace. This ceremony, Robeson says, was not extremely different than it was centuries ago. James’ Palace, make a statement and sign an oath of loyalty, at which point he politically became the head of state. Within 24 hours King Charles had to appear before an Accession Council at St. This transition, with its attendant traditions, is what captivated Robeson, whose research focuses on the connections between Medieval and Renaissance political history and the literature of the time. When her death was announced, Charles was first mentioned as King Charles III. It was beautiful and even people who weren’t that tuned in to the monarchy remember that,” she says.Īlmost immediately after Queen Elizabeth’s death, Charles became king from a political standpoint. I still remember how, in 2020, she gave a speech on getting through the pandemic. “She was very respected for her sense of duty, her sense of commitment, and also, she was there for the people. With few exceptions during her reign, Queen Elizabeth, Robeson says, was popular. “All classes, all places had memories of the Queen,” many of them positive. The official moment of silence was, throughout the United Kingdom, “respectful,” despite growing anti-monarchist sentiment, she notes.


The ceremonial aspects help the country to collectively grieve, Robeson says. “The composition of British society today is a thousand times more diverse than in 1953, when she was crowned,” says Robeson.Īfter the queen’s death, there was, Robeson points out, plenty of “window dressing.” For instance, the family held vigils at the coffin in various locations, and the funeral, planned by Queen Elizabeth herself, was elaborate.

In the following years an unprecedented array of people from other parts of the world have moved to England and contributed to its evolution. “Queen Elizabeth had the first televised coronation,” Robeson points out. Queen Elizabeth’s nearly 70-year reign spanned the advent of impactful visual mediums, digital advancements, medical breakthroughs and myriad other transformations. This historic hereditary power transition is also intriguing to witness because it must acquiesce to cultural and technological shifts, Robeson says.

From royal burial protocol to the king’s coronation attire colors, Queen Elizabeth’s death and the ascension of her son, King Charles III, to the throne, is providing the modern-day world with key historical reminders and lessons. Far from obsolete, many of the political and religious formalities from those distant eras still inform today’s British monarchical practices in pomp, circumstance and purpose. And for good reason – Robeson, after all, researches and teaches Arthurian, Medieval and Renaissance literature and its intersection with politics. “I was glued to the BBC for a week!” she admitted. When England’s Queen Elizabeth II died in September, 2022, Ohio Northern University English Professor Lisa Robeson was fascinated by what happened next.
