LONDON (AP) — WhenCoronation of King Charles IIIOn Saturday, soldiers carrying flags from the Bahamas, South Africa, Tuvalu and elsewhere will pass British troops in a spectacular military procession in honor of the monarch.
For some, this scene will reaffirm the ties between Britain and its former colonies. But for many others in the Commonwealth, a group of nations consisting mainly ofplaces once claimed by the British Empire, Charles's coronation is viewed with apathy at best.
In these countries, the first coronation of a British monarchin 70 yearsis an opportunity to reflect on oppression andthe bloody past of colonialism. Oentertainment shows in londonwill be particularly shaken by growing calls in the Caribbean to cut all ties with the monarchy.
"Interest in the British royal family has waned as more and more Jamaicans are waking up to the reality that survivors of colonialism and the holocaust of slavery have yet to receive restorative justice," said Reverend Sean Major-Campbell, an Anglican priest in the capital from Jamaica, Kingston. , he said.
The coronation is "relevant only insofar as it confronts us with the reality that our head of state is just that by biology," Major-Campbell added.
ARCHIVE - Britain's Prince Charles and Chief Archivist Ingrid Thompson visit the National Archives in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, following a ceremony marking the country's transition to a republic. In 2021, Barbados became the latest country to remove a British monarch as head of state, replacing Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, with the president-elect. The decision emboldened similar republican movements in neighboring Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize. (Jeff J Mitchell/Pool via AP, archive)
Endereço: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jeff J Mitchell
ARCHIVE - People protest to demand apologies and reparations for slavery during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate to the former British colony, in Kingston, Jamaica, Tuesday, March 22, 2022. For many countries of the Commonwealth, a group of countries made up mostly of former members of the British Empire, Charles's coronation is met with apathy at best, hostility at worst - a painful reminder of colonialism's oppressive and bloody past. (AP photo/Collin Reid, archive)
Endereço: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Collin Reid
ARCHIVE - Britain's Prince Charles, left, shakes hands with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness ahead of their bilateral meeting during the Cop26 Summit at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, Scotland, Tuesday, 2 November 2021. In 2022, when Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness welcomed Prince William and his wife Kate on a royal tour of the Caribbean, he announced that his country intended to achieve full independence. (photo by Jane Barlow/Pool via AP, archive)
Foto: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jane Barlow
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As a British sovereign, Charles is veryhead of statefrom 14 other countries, although the role is largely ceremonial. These kingdoms, which include Australia, Canada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, represent a minority of Commonwealth nations: most of the 56 members are republics, even if some still have the Union Jack on their flags.
Barbadosit was the last Commonwealth country to remove a British monarch as head of state, replacing Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as president-elect in 2021. The decision spurred similar republican movements in neighboring Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize.
Last year, when Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness welcomed Prince William and his wife Kate on a royal tour of the Caribbean,announcedthat his country intends to obtain full independence. Made a weird photo with the royal couple who were there toomet with protestsasking Britain to pay reparations for slavery.
William, the Crown Prince, noted later on the same trip that the relationship between the monarchy and the Caribbean had evolved. The royal family will "proudly and respectfully support your decisions about your future"party fingersin the Bahamas.
Rosalea Hamilton, a supporter of amending Jamaica's constitution to get rid of the royal family, said she was holding a forum on coronation day to involve more Jamaicans in the political reform process.
The event's timing is "a signal to the head of state that the priority is to move away from his leadership rather than focusing on the coronation," Hamilton said.
Two days before Charles's coronation, activists from 12 Commonwealth countries wrote to the monarch, urging him to apologize for the legacy of British colonialism.
Among the signatories was Lidia Thorpe, an Australian senator, who said on Thursday that Charles should "begin the process of repairing the damage caused by colonization, including giving back the stolen wealth that has been taken from our people".
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanesewho will attend the coronation and swear an oath of allegiance to the king, is in favor of abandoning the monarchy, although he has ruled out holding a referendum in the current triennium.
"I want to see an Australian as Australia's head of state," Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Buckingham Palace said last month that Charles supports research into the historical links between the British monarchy and the monarchy.transatlantic slave trade. The king takes the issue "very seriously" and researchers will be given access to the royal collection and archives, the palace said.
In India, once the jewel of the British Empire, there is little media coverage and coronation. Some people who live in the country's vast rural areas may not have even heard of King Charles III.
"India has moved on" and most Indians "don't have any emotional attachment to the royal family," said Pavan K. Varma, a writer and former diplomat. Instead, royals are seen more as funny celebrities, he said.
And while the country still values its economic and cultural ties with a European country, Varma pointed out that India's economy has outperformed Britain's.
"Britain has shrunk globally to a mid-sized power," he said. “That notion must be removed that here is an ex-colony chained to television watching the coronation of Prince Charles. I don't think something like that happens in India."
Since independence in 1947, India has abandoned the traces of British imperialism. The statue of King George V that used to stand near the India Gate statue in New Delhi was moved to Coronation Park in the 1960s. Once the site of celebrations honoring Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and George V, the park is now a repository of depictions of former British Raj monarchs and officials in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has again taken steps to reclaim India's past and erase the "symbols of slavery" from the country's reign under the British crown. His government removed colonial-era street names, some laws and even flag symbols.
"I don't think we should worry too much about (the royals)," said Milind Akhade, a New Delhi-based photographer. "They enslaved us for so many years."
In Nairobi, Kenya, motorcycle taxi driver Grahmat Luvisia also rejected the idea of following the coronation on television.
“I'm not going to be interested in watching the news or what's going on there because we were mistreated by these settlers,” he said.
Herman Manyora, a political scientist and professor of journalism at the University of Nairobi, said memories of Britain's harsh reaction to the Mau Mau rebellion in the 1950s
Many Kenyans will not see the coronation "because of the torture of colonialism, because of the oppression, because of the detention, because of the killings, because of the alienation of our land," Manyora said.
Not everyone is so critical. In Uganda, political scientist Asuman Bisiika says British culture continues to have a strong influence on young people in the East African country, especially those who follow English football. There is also a lot of goodwill for Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September after 70 years on the throne.
"It's not about caring about the British monarchy," Bisiika said. "It's about relationships."
In the South African city of Durban, British expatriate communities planned a live showing of a coronation ceremony, complete with trumpeters, to herald the moment of Charles's coronation by the Archbishop of Canterbury. On Sunday there will be a special service followed by a picnic or 'braai', a traditional South African barbecue.
"I think people want to be a part of an important moment in history," said Illa Thompson, one of the organizers of the ceremony.
Experts say that despite its flaws, historical baggage and jagged edges, the Commonwealth is still attractive, especially for poorer nations. Gabon and Togo, which are former French colonies with no colonial ties to Great Britain, became the association's newest members last year. Most observers believe that countries like Jamaica that want an elected head of state are likely to retain their membership.
“Countries, beneficiaries or not, feel they need this proximity to the UK as an economic player,” said Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies at Birmingham City University. "While there is still some opposition - (Charles) is not as popular as his mother - it's all about economics." ___
Myers Jr. reported from Kingston, Jamaica. Pathi reported from New Delhi. AP writers Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa; Khaled Kazziha in Nairobi, Kenya; and Rodney Muhumuza from Kampala, Uganda contributed to this report.
Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
FAQs
What is the Kings coronation? ›
During the ceremony, the King will swear to uphold the law and the Church of England, be anointed with holy oil, receive the Royal Orb and sceptres and be crowned with the solid gold St Edward's Crown.
When was the coronation of King Charles? › Is South Africa represented at the coronation of King Charles III? ›LONDON (AP) — When King Charles III is crowned on Saturday, soldiers carrying flags from the Bahamas, South Africa, Tuvalu and beyond will march alongside British troops in a spectacular military procession in honor of the monarch. For some, the scene will affirm the ties that bind Britain and its former colonies.
What time was the king's coronation? ›The coronation service in Westminster Abbey in London will begin at 6 a.m. Eastern time, and the second procession around 8 a.m. The events will wrap up with a six-minute flyover at 9:30 a.m. But festivities will continue through the weekend and into Monday, which is a public holiday in Britain.
What went wrong at the coronation? ›Around 500,000 people had amassed in the hope of getting a bread roll, a sausage, pretzels, gingerbread and a commemorative cup. When news spread there weren't enough gifts for everyone, the crowd became unruly, with police unable to maintain order. Around 1300 people were killed in a crowd crush.
What happens at a coronation? ›The Coronation will reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry. Queens consort are usually crowned with the king in a similar but simpler ceremony. She is anointed and crowned and receives a smaller version of the Sceptre with the Cross.
Why is Charles II called the Black King of England? ›Pubs across England called The Black Boy are generally named after King Charles II. It was a nickname coined by his mother because of the darkness of his skin and eyes. King Charles is credited with popularising champagne drinking and yachting in England.
How is King Charles 3 related to Queen Elizabeth? ›King Charles III
Charles became King the moment his mother Queen Elizabeth II died. The now former Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer, who became the Princess of Wales, on 29 July 1981. The couple had two sons, William and Harry. They later separated and their marriage was dissolved in 1996.
| State | Type | Succession |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of Morocco | Constitutional | Hereditary |
| Kingdom of Eswatini | Absolute | Hereditary and elective |
| Kingdom of Lesotho | Constitutional | Hereditary and elective |
After the coronation service at Westminster Abbey, King Charles III and other members of the royal family will make an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.
What happens after the coronation procession? ›
After the service, they will return to Buckingham Palace in another procession, this time joined by other members of the royal family, known as "The Coronation Procession." Once they arrive back at Buckingham Palace, the senior members of the royal family will make an appearance on the balcony.
How much was the king's coronation? ›A member of Operation Golden Orb organising committee told The Sun that the ceremony may have cost £100 million. But separate unverified sources have suggested an even higher bill, of up to £250 million, partly because of the vast security costs.
Why does the king need a coronation? ›Coronations emerged from a European tradition of increasing church involvement in the state, as well as the need to bring stability to often volatile societies in which several individuals had a claim to the throne. Central to the ceremony is the “unction”, the act of anointing a monarch with holy oil.
Why did the king not have a coronation? ›He did this because of opposition from many quarters to his attempt to marry Wallis Simpson, who had previously divorced. His coronation was cancelled as a result of his abdication.
How long does a coronation last? ›The display will last for two minutes and 30 seconds. LONDON — Thousands of military troops that marched through London in King Charles III's coronation procession saluted their commander in chief on the lawn of Buckingham Palace.
Why is coronation not straight away? ›The coronation usually takes place several months after the death of the previous monarch, as it is considered a joyous occasion that would be inappropriate while mourning continues.
Why did Churchill oppose the coronation? ›In “The Queen Mother: The Official Biography,” William Shawcross wrote that the coronation was fixed for June 2, 1953, because “Churchill had been against having it in 1952 because he felt that the country's economic crisis was so serious that not a single working day should be lost.”
What happened at Williams coronation in 1066? ›During the Coronation, as the people inside the Abbey shouted out their acceptance of William, the troops outside thought a fight had broken out. Fearing that William had been attacked, they began to set fire to Saxon houses.
What coronation Day means? ›a ceremony at which a person is made king or queen.
When and where is the coronation? ›The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May, 2023. The Service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
What is the difference between a proclamation and a coronation? ›
A proclamation is read aloud there, as well as in several other key spots throughout the UK. The coronation, on the other hand, is when the UK marks the formal investiture of a new sovereign.
Was Charles II a good king? ›He was certainly mercurial and brilliant, and quite possibly lustful and in the grip of dark and foreign powers. King Charles II was however, one of the nation's most interesting and beguiling rulers.
Why was King Charles called the White king? ›The title of this book – White King – is drawn from a sobriquet used by Charles's contemporaries, and was inspired by the story that he was crowned in white. It is a sobriquet that is unfamiliar today.
Why will Charles change his name as king? ›Some royal watchers speculated that that new monarch would pick a different name as king because of the historical baggage associated with the two previous British monarchs called Charles.
Will Camilla be queen if Charles dies? ›Charles has been king since the death of Queen Elizabeth II last September. While his wife, Camilla, was also crowned at the coronation, because she is not a member of the royal family by blood, she would not take over the throne if Charles were to die or step down.
Is Queen Elizabeth 2 related to Anne Boleyn? ›Answer and Explanation: Anne Boleyn is related to Queen Elizabeth II through her sister. Mary Boleyn, Anne Boleyn's sister, is the 12 great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II.
Why is the queens crown purple? ›Purple's elite status stems from the rarity and cost of the dye originally used to produce it. Purple fabric used to be so outrageously expensive that only rulers could afford it.
What do you call an African queen? ›In the Pabir tradition, they are known as maigira, a word that means "female monarch." In the Benin tradition, queen mothers are known as iyobas.
What do they call kings in Africa? ›African royalty are referred to as kings, queens emperors, or empresses. Before the Roman empire took control of parts of Africa, pharaohs ruled the kingdoms.
How many countries still have King rule? ›This is a list of current monarchies. As of 2023, there are 43 sovereign states in the world with a monarch as head of state. There are 13 in Asia, 12 in Europe, 9 in the Americas, 6 in Oceania, and 3 in Africa.
Who is the coronation for? ›
A coronation is the formal investiture of a monarch with their regal powers.
What will happen on the day of the Kings coronation? ›A fanfare will sound as The King, wearing the Imperial State Crown, followed by The Queen, wearing Queen Mary's Crown, emerge from the Shrine and join the Coronation Procession out of Westminster Abbey as the National Anthem is sung.
Who is leading coronation procession? ›Brigade Major Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw has the honour of leading the Coronation Procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.
Was there any trouble at the coronation? ›Dozens of people have been arrested during the King's Coronation, including the leader of a prominent anti-monarchy group. London's Metropolitan Police said 52 arrests were made for a range of reasons, and all remain in custody.
What do the king and queen do after the coronation? ›After the ceremony, the King and Queen Consort will return to Buckingham Palace in the Coronation Procession.
What happens if King dies before coronation? ›A new Sovereign succeeds to the throne as soon as his or her predecessor dies and is proclaimed as soon as possible at an Accession Council in St James's Palace.
Who pays for the king's coronation? ›The answer (as is not always the case when it comes to the royals and funding) is actually very simple: The British public. As a state occasion, King Charles's coronation is paid for with public funds.
Is the king still king without coronation? ›Subsequent ceremonies such as the Accession Council and the coronation in their own ways merely endorse a succession that has already taken place. It is not, therefore, necessary for the monarch to be crowned in order to become King: Edward VIII reigned as King without ever being crowned.
When was the last Kings coronation? ›The main parts of English coronations have remained unchanged for a thousand years. These same traditions were used for the coronation of the last monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953, and are likely to be used for the coronation of her son, King Charles III in 2023.
Will Camilla be queen when Charles is crowned? ›Camilla is a non-birth member of the royal family, so she will not hold authority, but she was crowned queen alongside her husband, the king. The pair first met when they were young and have walked a long, winding road to get to a point where Charles, 74, could call her his wife and now, queen.
When King Charles dies who will be queen? ›
King Charles III
Charles's wife Camilla now has the title queen consort — an honor Queen Elizabeth announced in February 2022, saying in a statement that it was her "sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort."
The Coronation ceremony took place on 2 June the following year. The 4-year-old Prince Charles received his own specially illustrated invitation.
How old was Charles when Elizabeth became queen? ›Charles was born in Buckingham Palace during the reign of his maternal grandfather, George VI, and was three years old when his mother, Elizabeth II, acceded to the throne in 1952, making him the heir apparent.
Will Kate Middleton be Queen? ›Both of them are married or partners of the next in line to the throne. This means that neither Camilla nor Kate will ever be known as Queen, only as Queen Consort. When William becomes king, that will be the title that awaits her.
Can Camilla inherit the throne? ›No, the throne can only be inherited. If Camilla outlives her husband she will likely recieve a new title as Prince William begins his reign. Read more: everything we know about King Charles III's coronation concert.
Would Camilla become Queen if Charles dies? ›While his wife, Camilla, was also crowned at the coronation, because she is not a member of the royal family by blood, she would not take over the throne if Charles were to die or step down.
Why did Churchill delay Queen Elizabeth's coronation? ›TORONTO—While the hugely successful play The Audience and equally successful TV Series The Crown deserve praise, both conclude that Winston Churchill delayed the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II to take pressure from the forces which were endeavouring to force him to resign—on the basis that a change of Prime Minister ...
What was the age difference between Charles and Elizabeth? ›The couple did not become engaged until Elizabeth had turned 21, as stipulated by her father. The Princess of Wales was born on July 1, 1961, almost 13 years after Prince Charles' birthday on November 14, 1948.
Why did the Queen have to wait for her coronation? ›The coronation was held more than one year later because of the tradition of allowing an appropriate length of time to pass after a monarch dies. It also gave the planning committees adequate time to make preparations for the ceremony.
What name will Charles take as king? ›Charles will not be changing his name, as was previously speculated. He will be known as King Charles III. Charles was nine when he was given the title the Prince of Wales.
Is Harry still in line for the throne? ›
Is Prince Harry still in line to the throne? Harry is still fifth in line to the throne. His father is king, his brother, Prince William is first in line and William's children – Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis – are second, third and fourth in line, respectively.
Will William be Prince of Wales? ›Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022, and William's father succeeded as Charles III. William, now heir apparent, was announced as Prince of Wales by his father on 9 September. Controversy regarding the title became a topic of public debate in Wales.