Almost 8 months after Queen Elizabeth’s funeral King Charles III’s coronation will take place next Saturday. The ceremony will see His Majesty King Charles crowned alongside Queen Camilla. The coronation is the formal investiture of a monarch of their regal powers. It is an occasion for celebration where the crown is physically placed on the monarch’s head in front of thousands of guests and witnessed by countless others watching it on television all over the world. It will be a historic moment in the lives of all of us.
At its centre is a Christian service in which His Majesty will be anointed as King. It will be rooted in longstanding tradition and Christian symbolism. We offer our prayers for King Charles III and all the Royal Family for this important occasion. We hope that this might be a moment for the nation and many around the world to encounter the person of Jesus Christ, the servant King, and hear His call to each of us to serve others. The Coronation weekend presents a unique opportunity for all Churches to reach out, gather together with those we know, to pray together and establish new links and relationships. As we prepare for The King’s Coronation, may we seek to serve others, connect with our neighbours, and give thanks to God for the wonderful unity we find in the great diversity of our nation.
The Bishops of England and Wales have asked us all as faithful citizens of our countries to pray for our King as he assumes the fullness of the high office of monarch and for the Queen. Please pray daily asking Almighty God to guide the King in his appointed tasks and for God’s continued blessing on our new King and Queen. May He preserve them both in health of mind and body and grant them every grace and blessing now and for the years to come.