The Coronation of King Charles III

 

Andrea Montiel y el alumnado de 2º bachillerato B/C del IES Augusto G. Linares de Santander

Besides King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, the entire Wales family was present at the Coronation, with Prince George acting as one of the Pages of Honour during the service. Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were also in attendance, travelling with Kate, William and George in the carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. The Duke of Sussex was among the congregation, too, although he kept a low profile, while the Duchess of Sussex remained at home in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The ceremony was held on 6 May – more than eight months after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and shortly before the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. While the late monarch acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952, she wasn’t crowned until 2 June 1953, after a period of national mourning for her father, King George VI – a tradition that King Charles chose to follow.

Guests began to arrive at Westminster Abbey from 9am, with King Charles III’s procession setting off from Buckingham Palace at 10.20. The Coronation ceremony then began at 11 – going off without a hitch. Afterwards, the King boarded the Gold Stage Coach at 1pm and returned to Buckingham Palace to appear with the other royals on the balcony before cheering crowds.

Following Queen Elizabeth II’s declaration in 2022 that it was her “sincere wish” that the former Duchess of Cornwall take the title of Queen Consort when Charles acceded to the throne, Camilla was crowned alongside her husband. She is the first Consort to be crowned since the Queen Mother in 1937.

More than 2,000 guests were invited to Westminster Abbey on 6 May. Among them were members of the royal family (and other members of royal families around the world), representatives from the Houses of Parliament and the Church, and prominent politicians from the Commonwealth and beyond. The number of Coronation invitees is actually relatively small, given that more than 8,000 people attended the Queen’s service in 1953.

 

Question 1: (2 points). Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down the sentences or part of the text that justifies your answer.

a) The Duke of Sussex played a vital role at the Coronation.

b) The ceremony took place over eight months after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

c) Only members of the royal family were invited to Westminster Abbey.

d) There has never been a coronation with more invitees.

 Question2: (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.

a) Why was Queen Elizabeth II crowned on June 1953?

b) What was the sincere wish of Queen Elizabeth II?

 Question 3: (1,5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

a) Gathering (par. 1)

b) Service (par. 2)

c) Grief (par. 2)

d) Begin a trip (par.3)

e) Obstacle  (par. 3)

f) Well-known (par. 5)

Question 4: (1,5 points) Choose the correct option – a, b, c or d – for each question.

1. When did the parade take place?

a) On 2 June.

b) On 6 May.

c) On 6 February.

d) On 8 May.

2. There was a period of national mourning because...

a) It was a custom.

b) It was King Charles’ willing.

c) It is a law.

d) It was decided by the British population.

3. Camilla is the first Consort ...

a) to be crowned for many decades.

b) not to be crowned since 1937.

c) to be crowned in British history.

d) to be crowned in the 20th century.

Write a short essay on the following topic.  (3 marks)

‘Traditions are important and should be preserved?  Do you agree?  

 

 KEY:

Question 1.

a. False "The Duke of Sussex was among the congregation, too, although he kept a low profile"

b. True "The ceremony was held on 6 May – more than eight months after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II "

c. False "Among them were members of the royal family (and other members of royal families around the world), representatives from the Houses of Parliament and the Church, and prominent politicians from the Commonwealth and beyond."

d. False "The number of Coronation invitees is actually relatively small, given that more than 8,000 people attended the Queen’s service in 1953."

Question 2.

1. She wasn’t crowned until 2 June 1953, after a period of national mourning for her father, King George VI – a tradition that King Charles chose to follow.

2. Her “sincere wish” that the former Duchess of Cornwall take the title of Queen Consort when Charles acceded to the throne, Camilla was crowned alongside her husband.

 

Question 3.

a) congregation

b) ceremony

c) mourning

d) set off

e) hitch

f) prominent

Question 4.

1. B

2. A

3. A