King’s coronation: Eyewitness account from inside Westminster Abbey

In the cavernous amphitheatre of Westminster Abbey, we have been hit by what felt like a wall of sound. 

A bigger choir and full orchestra within the loft creating probably the most dramatic musical entrance for the King and Queen, a ceremony of historic ritual about to unfold earlier than us, it was like we have been watching a chunk of theatre.

As a royal correspondent, I used to be provided a seat to attend this momentous ceremony.

At the centre a pair whose personal tumultuous back-story made this second all of the extra extraordinary to witness, as we noticed Charles and Camilla topped alongside one another.

This was a scene that just a few years in the past would have triggered uproar amongst some on this nation, however now, there they have been, occupying these ornate thrones, supporting one another of their 70s as you possibly can see their faces etched with the enormity of this second.

All of us within the congregation had been requested to reach early, and there was a energetic ambiance of individuals chatting and milling round as our pack of reporters have been walked to our seats.

In 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II, a sea of friends in ermine robes surrounded her; this had the texture of a spring marriage ceremony, deliberately extra meritocratic in addition to inevitably aristocratic.

As I walked down the aisle you possibly can see sitting within the entrance row folks from throughout the UK who’ve served their very own communities carrying their greatest clothes, hats and fits, sitting alongside former royal workers, political figures, and people of different faiths and nationalities wearing their very own spiritual or indigenous costume.

A cheer for Ant and Dec, in addition to a gradual stream of different superstar faces was one other change from 70 years in the past.

That sense of modernity and inclusivity was deeply woven into the service, little doubt on the request of a King who proper from the demise of his mom has proven his need to advertise a various multicultural Britain.

We noticed a gospel choir and hymns within the languages of all the nations of the United Kingdom, the King giving a uncommon smile within the service as he was greeted by different religion leaders as he departed.

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The nearly legendary conventional components in fact remained, together with the King anointed behind a display screen.

However as they moved the screens away and we noticed him kneeling, wearing a easy white tunic, this felt like a person considering the burden of the expectation he now faces, summed up by the archbishop in his sermon as he talked of the “weight of the task given you today”.

Of course the pageantry is not everybody’s cup of tea, hence the protests this weekend. And that is why his household couldn’t be extra essential, it is going to take a crew effort to cope with the challenges of a much less deferential age.

Starting with Camilla. As one reporter mentioned to me she is just not one who usually enjoys formality, however as she adjusted her personal crown, we noticed a spouse once more doing no matter it takes to help her husband.

Then there was William and Kate bringing all their kids, even five-year-old Louis. If they wish to make certain the monarchy survives, they finally have the toughest job of all, interesting to the youthful crowd.

Prince Harry within the third row, effectively behind his brother, was a reminder of the tough dynamics which have shaken the household’s popularity.

But most likely probably the most touching moments, the King wanting visibly emotional as William pledged his allegiance, appeared to indicate at the very least one son dedicated to being by his father’s facet in a manner that hasn’t all the time been seen in recent times.

The musical soundtrack of this history-making second reached a crescendo because the King and Queen made their ultimate procession by way of the abbey and the congregation round me joined a rendition of God Save the King.

But because the monarch made his manner in direction of the door I could not assist however assume that whereas the crown, the robes, the regalia appeared so apt contained in the historic setting of Westminster Abbey, how becoming would they seem as he stepped out within the rain?

Coronation over, remaining related is the problem they now face.