‘I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King’
THE RECOGNITION
The ceremony began in earnest when the King, moving to the Coronation Chair and in front of the high altar, was presented to the congregation by the Archbishop, who said: “I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King; wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?”
There was a cry of “God save King Charles” in response. Then, in a rite dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, the monarch turned to show himself to the people to the east, south, west and north as Archbishop Welby’s words were repeated for each turn: first by Lady Angiolini, Scotland’s first female Lord Advocate and a Lady of the Order of the Thistle, then by Christopher Finney, chair of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association and a holder of the George Cross, who was representing recipients of the bravery medals.
Finally, Baroness Amos, a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter, repeated the words. Each time, the congregation then responded: “God save King Charles.” A fanfare sounded as the King returned to the Chair of Estate next to his Queen.
PRESENTATION OF THE BIBLE
The Rt Rev. Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, presented the King with a specially commissioned red leather Bible.
THE OATH
In a newly created part of the ancient ceremony, the King, with a look of concentration, stood before Archbishop Welby, who promised that the Church of England would “seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely”.
He asked His Majesty: “Are you willing to take the oath?” The King, placing his hand on the Bible, replied: “I am willing.”
He was then asked: “Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, your other Realms and the Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?”
“I solemnly promise so to do,” the King said.
Then, kneeling at the Chair of Estate, Charles placed both hands on the Bible and closed his eyes momentarily before vowing to uphold the Protestant religion, the Church of England and its clergy. “All this I promise to do,” he said. “The things which I have here before promised I will perform and keep. So help me God.”
He kissed the Bible before continuing: “I, Charles, do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God profess, testify and declare that I am a faithful Protestant, and that I will, according to the
