In the most private act of the ceremony, which is not televised, the Archbishop anoints the sovereign with consecrated oil, making the form of a cross on the hands, head and heart. The chair has a cavity in the base in which the Stone of Scone is fitted – also known as the ‘stone of destiny’ this was used for Scottish coronations until it was brought to England by Edward I (from 1996 it has resided in Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, but is returned to Westminster Abbey for the coronation ritual).Ĭanopy-bearers, usually four Knights of the Garter, hold a canopy of golden cloth over the monarch’s head. The monarch’s crimson robe is removed and replaced with the anointing gown and he/she proceeds to the Coronation chair. AnointingĪs a preparation for the act of anointing, the Archbishop recites a prayer, and the choir sings Handel’s coronation anthem Zadok the Priest. So help me God.”Ī service of Holy Communion follows, which is interrupted for the rituals of Anointing, Investing, Crowning and Enthronement.
The things which I have here before promised, I will perform, and keep. The Archbishop calls for recognition of the Sovereign by the people and after their acclamation he administers the oath to the Sovereign, which ends with his/her response: “All this I promise to do. The Garter Principal King of Arms, Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Chancellor, Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord High Constable and Earl Marshal move to the east, south, west and north of the coronation theatre. The Sovereign enters the Abbey accompanied by the clergy and other dignitaries and takes his or her seat on a Chair of Estate, at the centre of the ‘coronation theatre’, wearing a Robe of State of crimson velvet. Dignitaries and representatives from other nations are also invited.
Hereditary peers and their spouses attend the coronation, along with political figures, the prime minister, members of the cabinet, governors-general and prime ministers of Commonwealth realms, governors of Crown Colonies, and heads of state of dependent nations. The Lord High Constable is a Great Officer of State who is called out of abeyance for the Coronation only. The Lord Great Chamberlain enrobes the sovereign with ceremonial vestments, with the aid of the Groom of the Robes and the Master or Mistress of the Robes. The Great Officers of State participate in the ceremony. The coronation is traditionally presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury, although there have been occasions when other high-ranking bishops have had to preside because of the unavailability of the Archbishop.
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