King Charles will be anointed and crowned on the historic occasion this Saturday (Picture: PA)
The man in charge of running King Charles’s coronation described the upcoming day as a ‘proud moment in our national history’.
The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, is overseeing the occasion and said Charles will reign ‘in his own way’ with the support of his Queen Consort Camilla.
He said the new monarch would ‘do it in his own way’ but also follow the example of the late Queen.
It is three days until 2,300 guests and 100 heads of state gather to watch Charles and Camilla anointed for the first coronation in 70 years.
The duke’s family has had responsibility for organising state occasions since 1483 and he said: ‘The coronation is an opportunity to bring our great nation, the realms and Commonwealth closer together, plugging into the power of the past, promoting our shared values to the wider world with all that we have to offer.
‘The King will swear before God and the nation to serve our country as head of state, upholding our laws and maintaining justice for all.
‘But this is also a time to remind ourselves of the pride we have in our great country and our unwritten constitution, which has served us so well for over 1,000 years during our long history.
‘The late Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years and who dedicated her life to service, earned the admiration and respect of the world.
Earl Marshal, Duke of Norfolk, will organise the historic event (Picture: PA)
‘Now we have the continuity of a new king who will follow in her footsteps, but do it in his own way with his wife and family carrying out their loyal service alongside His Majesty.
‘It is a system which has constantly evolved over time, helping to secure the freedom we enjoy today.’
The duke went on to confirm Charles’s coronation will be a lot different to the Queen’s in 1953.
At the Queen’s coronation there were 8,000 guests and Westminster Abbey closed for five months in preparation, rather than a week and a half.
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The historic Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will take place in Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
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The duke highlighted representatives from other faiths will take part to represent the diversity of the UK.
Around 2,300 guests have been invited to Charles and Camilla’s coronation (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
‘This coronation has at its heart a Christian service, but it is also about service,’ the duke said.
‘The service the king is proud to perform as sovereign and the service so many selfless individuals devote to their communities for the public good around the nation, realms and Commonwealth.
‘To that end, the main coronation service in Westminster Abbey will be different to 1953.’
When the coronation is over, the procession will take place from the abbey to Buckingham Palace and will feature 7,000 troops on ceremonial duties.
The coronation concert will take place at Windsor Castle on Sunday and people are encouraged to take part in the Big Help Out volunteering drive on Monday.
Royal fans have been given a first glimpse of what the procession will look like as further rehearsals took place this morning.
But sun lovers will be disappointed to find out rain is expected on the big day so pack the umbrellas.
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‘The coronation is an opportunity to bring our great nation, the realms and Commonwealth closer together.’