The Daily Mail reports that during King Charles’ coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023, millions of citizens in the UK and other nations where the monarch is the head of state will be compelled to swear to him their “true allegiance.”
This “Homage of the People” replaces the “homage of the peers” and is intended to make the ceremony more democratic and inclusive.
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith said, “It’s hugely exciting. It’s probably the most radical departure from tradition we’ve heard about so far, and it’s about as inclusive as you can get, asking the whole world to acclaim him as King.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury will call on those in Westminster Abbey and watching on television to pledge their allegiance, and it will be the first time that every citizen of the UK has been asked to make such a pledge. The ceremony will also feature other significant updates, such as the participation of female members of the clergy and representatives of other faiths, as well as a tribute to the King’s late father, Prince Philip.
After King Charles is crowned, Queen Camilla will be crowned in full public view, marking the first time a Consort has been anointed in this way.
The “Homage of the People” is expected to involve 150 million people across the UK and Commonwealth saying: “I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.” After a fanfare, the public will add: “God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live for ever.”
A spokesman for Lambeth Palace said, “Never before in our history have the public been offered such an opportunity to join with national figures in declaring their allegiance to a new sovereign.’
“It’s a wonderful, democratic and inclusive gesture and very 21st Century.
“We knew all along this was going to be a different and modern twist on the Coronation but this step is really quite a radical one.”
Constitutional expert Sir Vernon Bogdanor added, “It’s a very sensible change. Even in 1953 I think it was out of date to have the peers there to represent the people as a whole. It is certainly out of date now. It would look ludicrous.
“The Coronation confirms that he is the rightful King and it’s right that a sample of people should be doing that. The Coronation has to balance tradition with adapting itself to current conditions.”