The Corrie Naish is less than 24 hours away and there’s a buzz in the air. As final touches are being made ahead of tomorrow’s momentous occasion, royalists have started setting up literal camp along the Mall. If we can bet on one thing, it’s that these guys will most definitely be pledging allegiance to old Chazza during the ceremony.
Those watching from home or on big screens across the country are invited to make the pledge, but it is by no means compulsory. It’s due to happen during the first ever ‘Homage of the People’, a new addition to the ceremony that replaces the ‘Homage of Peers’ in which a long line of hereditary peers would kneel and make a pledge to the monarch in person.
Many people have expressed outrage at the idea of the pledge and it seems Charles himself might have had the same reaction. Broadcaster and close friend of HRH Jonathan Dimbleby told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme: ‘I can’t think of anything he would find more abhorrent. He’s never wanted to be revered. He’s never wanted anyone to pay homage to him except in mock terms as a joke.’
However, if that hasn’t put you off, then here’s what you need to know about pledging allegiance to King Charles.
How do we pledge allegiance to the King?
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will ask that ‘all persons of goodwill in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other realms and the territories to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all’.
Then, everyone in the Abbey as well as those watching at home will be called upon to respond with this oath: ‘I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.’
A playing of fanfare will follow before the Archbishop says ‘God save the King’, and the public will be invited to chant: ‘God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live for ever.’
What’s the allegiance meaning?
It is intended to represent the individual’s dedication to the new monarch.
Lambeth Palace, the archbishop’s residence, announced the new tradition expressing hope that it would create a ‘great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King’.
When will the pledge take place?
The Homage of the People will take place right at the end of the ceremony, once Charles is seated on the Coronation Chair and homage has been paid by the Archbishop, Prince William and Church of England bishops involved in the service.