Witness History: King Charles III to be Crowned in Westminster Abbey This Saturday

This Saturday, Westminster Abbey will be the site of a historic event: the coronation of King Charles III of England. The coronation will be attended by 2,200 in-person guests, with millions more tuning in from around the world. As part of the coronation, the King will be seated in the Coronation Chair, a 700-year-old seat that has been used in coronations since the reign of Edward II in 1308.

The coronation ritual is steeped in tradition and has remained relatively unchanged for centuries. It consists of six segments: the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture (which includes the crowning), the enthronement, and the homage. The ceremony is considered a moment between the Sovereign and God, and is marked by a screen or canopy.

The Coronation Chair is also known as the St. Edward’s Chair or King Edward’s Chair. It has been used in coronations since the reign of Edward II in 1308, and has left Westminster Abbey twice in its history: once in 1657, when Oliver Cromwell was installed as lord protector at Westminster Hall during England’s brief period as a republic, and again during World War II, when it was taken to Gloucester Cathedral for safekeeping.

The coronation of King Charles III will be a momentous occasion for the British monarchy, and a moment of history for the world. The coronation ritual has remained unchanged for centuries, and the Coronation Chair has been a part of the ceremony for 700 years. All eyes will be on Westminster Abbey this Saturday as King Charles III is officially crowned.