During the King’s Coronation on Saturday, everyone in the United Kingdom will be asked to publicly swear allegiance to the King.
Charles’ ceremony has been modified to include the first-ever Homage to the People – a line that everyone in the country, as well as millions watching from across the world, will be invited to utter in order to demonstrate their support for the new monarch.
According to Lambeth Palace, the dramatic modification to the historic ritual is expected to result in a “great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King” from those watching on television, in bars, online, or gathered in the open air at big screens.
It takes the place of the old Homage of Peers, in which a lengthy line of hereditary peers bowed and made a personal vow to the queen.
The liturgy – the words and actions of the Coronation service – has been unveiled, after careful consideration by the King, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Government.
The new Homage of the People was introduced to allow “a chorus of millions of voices” to be “enabled for the first time in history to participate in this solemn and joyful moment”, Lambeth Palace said.
The Archbishop will call upon “all persons of goodwill in The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other Realms and the Territories to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all”.
The order of service will read: “All who so desire, in the Abbey, and elsewhere, say together:
“I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”
Following that, a fanfare will be played.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will then proclaim “God Save The King”, with all asked to respond:
“God Save King Charles. Long Live King Charles. May The King live for ever.”
Before the Homage of the People, the Archbishop of Canterbury will pay homage representing the Church of England, followed by the Prince of Wales – performing what is the only Homage of Royal Blood.
Just like his grandfather Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh did for his wife Elizabeth II at her Coronation, William will kneel before the monarch, place his hands between his father’s and vow to be his “liege man of life and limb”.
He will say: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”
The symbolic act means the heir to throne, as ‘liege man’ to the King, has a mutual obligation to the monarch.
When Charles III is officially declared King, he will wear the £5 billion St Edward’s Crown, the most important and holiest of all Royal jewels.
The crown, which is exclusively worn at Coronation rituals, was manufactured in 1661 and belonged to Edward the Confessor at the time.
It is constructed of solid gold and weighs about 5lbs. It is generally stored at the Tower of London as part of the Crown Jewels collection.