Angela Levin urges King Charles not to ‘cut down’ coronation
King Charles urged to not ‘cut down’ coronation
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Royal commentator Angela Levin has urged the Royal Family to refrain from holding a “cut price coronation” as the Government revealed the ceremony will be respectful of the crippling cost of living crisis affecting Britons. Speaking to Sky News’ Kay Burley, Ms Levin conceded that elements of the event should be pared down, such as the number of guests attending and the duration of the ceremony, but pleaded against any other further concessions as the coronation serves as an opportunity to show “what a good country” the United Kingdom is and “how terrific we are at super events”. It comes as Cabinet ministers appear also to be less keen on a dumbed-down event, with Jacob Rees-Mogg calling for a “dignified” ceremony befitting the sovereign.
Asked about whether there should be a “cut-price coronation”, Ms Levin said: “I am completely against that. I think this will show the world what a good country we are and how terrific we are at these sorts of super events.
“I think you could say the same about the funeral. In retrospect, it seemed so big and so amazing, and it worked brilliantly. I think people will warm to a [full-bodied] coronation. It is a happy occasion and it is a new start, and I think it is very important that it represents that.
“I am sort of in the middle, if I am being honest. I think you should get rid of some of the people that are coming. I don’t think you need 8,000 people attending; two, three or four thousand is fine.
“I do not think it needs to be four hours long, either, but I do not want it to be a cut-price event. Not at all.”
It was announced on Tuesday evening that King Charles III’s ceremony will include the same core elements of the traditional service, which has retained a similar structure for more than 1,000 years, while also recognising the spirit of our times.
Charles’s coronation is expected to be on a smaller scale and shorter, with suggestions that it could last just one hour rather than over three. It is also expected to be more inclusive of multi-faith Britain than past coronations but will be an Anglican service.
Guest numbers will be reduced from 8,000 to around 2,000, with peers expected to wear suits and dresses instead of ceremonial robes, and a number of rituals, such as the presentation of gold ingots, axed.
Coronations have not traditionally been held on a weekend, with the late Queen’s taking place on a Tuesday. Further details are due to be released in due course, but the Government and the royal household will be conscious of the scale of the event in light of the cost-of-living crisis facing the country.
But business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg appeared to agree with Ms Levin this morning that the King’s coronation next year should not be a “cut-price” event.
Mr Rees-Mogg said: “We don’t have coronations very often. I think the key to the coronation, actually, is that it’s a religious ceremony. It is effectively a sacrament.”
He said discussions around the cost could not be compared to debates about rising pay demands, although he declined to get into speculation about a precise figure for how much it might cost.
He added: “I hope we see a coronation that is sufficiently dignified for our sovereign. This is a one-off cost. The last one was for coronation for a reign of 70 years. So, this is not something that happens often, it needs to be done properly.”
DON’T MISS:
King Charles’ coronation to reflect monarch’s causes ‘Matter to him’ [INSIGHT]
King Charles’ coronation to break with a recent royal tradition [REVEAL]
King Charles’ coronation to reflect ‘longstanding traditions’ [REPORT]
The Palace have said the ceremony will be “rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry” but also “reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future”.
Charles III will be anointed with holy oil, receive the orb, coronation ring and sceptre, be crowned with the majestic St Edward’s Crown and blessed during the historic ceremony. Camilla will also be anointed with holy oil and crowned, just like the Queen Mother was when she was crowned Queen in 1937.
The Palace said the date was chosen in consultation with the Government, the Church of England and the Royal Household, but no further details have been given on why it was picked.
“Buckingham Palace is pleased to announce that the coronation of His Majesty The King will take place on Saturday 6th May 2023,” the Palace said. “The coronation ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, London, and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
“The ceremony will see His Majesty King Charles III crowned alongside the Queen Consort. The coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.”
READ NEXT:
Charles takes royal artefacts to The Repair Shop in rare appearance
Camilla ‘very upset’ with Harry and Meghan’s treatment of Charles
MPs call for bank holiday move over Charles’ coronation
Mark Dolan welcomes coronation news as symbol of hope for UK
King Charles III to be crowned in May – instead of June as tipped
Source: Read Full Article