The announcement that the animal cartoon character would be performing at the “Coronation Concert” raised expectations that the event on the evening of May 7 at Windsor Castle could see a scene similar to that at Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee Concert in June 2022. Back then, the Queen met for tea for a much-acclaimed video skit with the animated bear Paddington.
“With the stunning backdrop of Windsor Castle, it will be an evening of unforgettable moments for Their Majesties and all the people of the UK to enjoy,” said BBC Executive Director Kate Phillips. The public broadcaster will broadcast the concert live.
Numerous artists announced
The organizers also announced performances by singer Paloma Faith, musician Olly Murs, pop star Tom Jones, actress Joan Collins, Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, musician Steve Winwood and pianist Lang Lang, among many other celebrities. Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor is to deliver a short, “uplifting” speech.
It had previously been announced that Take That, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Andrea Bocelli, among others, would take part. At the concert with around 20,000 guests there will also be a special “coronation choir”.
Winwood, 74, said he remembered a little of the coronation of Elizabeth II 70 years ago. It is a great honor that he can now take part in the coronation ceremonies for Charles and Camilla.
Blessed sight protection
Preparations have also been made for the anointing of the monarch, which is considered a personal moment with God. For this part of the ceremony, members of the Royal Guard erect a three-sided anointing screen around the King and Archbishop of Canterbury.
As Buckingham Palace announced late Friday evening, the “Anointing Screen” specially designed for the coronation service on May 6 was blessed during a service in the Chapel Royal of London’s St. James’s Palace. It is 2.6 meters high and 2.2 meters wide.
In addition, King Charles III received a seven-year-old black mare named Noble, who is also scheduled to take part in the coronation procession, on Friday when he was named chief commissioner by a delegation from the Canadian National Police. The 74-year-old also received a commemorative sword at the short ceremony, commemorating the founding of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police 150 years ago and the coronation.
Legendary Stone brought from Scotland
A legendary stone from Scotland is also used for the coronation of the British King Charles III. brought from Edinburgh to London. The “Stone of Scone”, also known as the “Stone of Destiny”, was sent on its way to the British capital on Thursday evening after a ceremony in Edinburgh Castle. The 152-kilogram block of sandstone is a symbol of the Scottish monarchy, but was also part of the English coronation throne for centuries.
The stone was bid farewell in Edinburgh Castle, where it is kept with the Scottish Crown Jewels, and sent on its way to London under tight security. Scottish Prime Minister Humza Yousaf, who wants to lead Scotland to independence from the United Kingdom, spoke of a “historic moment” in which he “liked” to be a part.
At the coronation of Charles III. In addition to the “Destiny Stone” and the Coronation Chair, many other objects steeped in history and loaded with high symbolic power are used. Pope Francis gives the British monarch, the head of the Anglican Church, two splinters of the Holy Cross on which Jesus is said to have been crucified.
New photos released
A few days before the coronation of Charles III. and his wife Camilla, Buckingham Palace has also released new photos of the royal couple. The pictures were taken in the Blue Drawing Room, the former ballroom of the London City Palace, by photographer Hugo Burnard, the palace said on Monday night. The University of Cambridge also presented a photo of the king as a student at the age of 18.
A picture of the palace shows the standing couple, the monarch and the king’s wife can be seen individually in one picture each. Charles, in a blue suit and tie, is seated in an armchair made of gilded wood and silk from 1828. Twelve of these chairs had once been supplied to King George IV for the furnishing of Windsor Castle.
Camilla, in a blue dress and pearl earrings worn by her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, took a seat in a giltwood and silk armchair called a bergere. The seating furniture dates from around 1812 and was probably commissioned by George IV for Carlton House, it said. In the background is a portrait of King George V shortly after his coronation in 1911. Photographer Burnard also took Charles and Camilla’s wedding photos in 2005.
Historian: Coronation comes at difficult time
The forthcoming coronation does not only ensure a good mood in Great Britain. It is taking place at a difficult time, historian Matthew Grimley said recently. Among other things, he referred to economic factors such as inflation in the country, “which make people feel very vulnerable”. While Brits were optimistic about the future at the time of Charles’ mother Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, that’s not the case now, Grimley told APA.
When asked about the continued existence of the institution, the expert said that it was always said that the monarchy had no future. However, it is helpful for her that “it would be so complicated and difficult and controversial to get rid of her that she has a certain inertia,” according to the historian. “A lot will depend on the people who hold the office and I suspect Charles and William will both likely be quite responsible and prevent her from being discredited.”
