TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine attended in London the coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms and Queen Camilla, which took place on Saturday 6 May, in Westminster Abbey.
The day before, on Friday 5 May, Their Royal Highnesses also attended a formal reception for Royal families and heads of state that was held by Their Majesties the King and the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Coronation is a significant solemnity for the constitutional parliamentary monarchies, that is not a simple celebration but represents the event of the highest state importance, and before all, an important religious ceremony. As a historical comparison to Serbia, it is very similar to the coronation of King Peter I which was performed in Cathedral Church (Saborna crkva) in Belgrade and Žiča Monastery, that is why the coronation of United Kingdom monarchs is conducted in Westminster Abbey, as one of the most important temples in England.
“The coronation of my dear cousin King Charles III was a very important event; it was an impressive religious ceremony and we were so touched to be asked to attend. However, we cannot avoid our thoughts and emotions going to all the victims and loved ones of the terrible tragedies that occurred in Serbia, which are deeply carved in our minds and hearts… The grief for the lost lives will last forever, Serbia will never fully recover from the devastating tragedies. Our prayers are with them. May God bless them. The Royals and world leaders that we met expressed their sincere condolences and asked us to convey them to the people of Serbia.
A monarch in a constitutional parliamentary monarchy always must be in the service of his people, and the coronation is one of the important steps to be taken on this path of duties inherited from his predecessors. It is the highest pledge of honour he takes in front of God and his people, that represents a standfast of his service”, stated HRH Crown Prince Alexander.
The crowning of King Charles III was a unique event since many new details were incorporated into the centuries-old tradition, honouring all citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, their diversities, and cultures. It was also the first one in history that was attended by other Crowned Heads of State and non-UK Royals.
The coronation ceremony started with the King and the Queen’s procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. Their Majesties entered the church, preceded by processions consisting of faith leaders and representatives of different religions, as well as representatives of various nations and states of the Commonwealth. The highest political figure in the United Kingdom, HE Mr. Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, also gave a reading as part of the ceremony. The church service was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. The music for the ceremony was selected personally by His Majesty, including Greek Orthodox music, in memory of the King’s father, the late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.
The King and the Queen were in key moments of the ceremony presented with different items of the Royal Regalia – crowns, orb, and sceptres – individual objects which symbolise different aspects of the service and responsibilities of the monarch. The ceremony consisted of five stages, each representing an important tradition. After the church ceremony, the King and the Queen together with other members of the Royal family of the United Kingdom, went back to Buckingham Palace and appeared in front of the people on the famous balcony.
Together with the Royal Couple of Serbia, the Royal families of Europe and the world were present including: HM King Carl XVI Gustaf and HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, HM King Philippe and HM Queen Mathilde of Belgium, HM King Felipe VI and HM Queen Letizia of Spain, HM King Willem-Alexander and HM Queen Máxima of Netherlands, TRH Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, TIH Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan, TSH Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, TRH Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, TRH Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein, HM King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco, HM the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah ibni Omar Ali Saifuddien III, HM the King of Malaysia Abdullah of Pahang, HM Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, HM Emir Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai, TM King Jigme Khesar and Queen Jetsun Pema of Buthan, TM King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida of Thailand, as well as HM Custodian of the Crown of Romania Margareta and HRH Prince Radu, HM Czar Simeon of the Bulgarians, HM Queen Anne Marie, HRH Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, and many other Royals.
