- Harry Farley and Sean Seddon
- BBC News
Coronation organizers say they will be invited to join the chorus of “millions”.
The Pledge of Allegiance unveiled on Saturday was one of many eye-catching changes to the old coronation ceremony.
In this coronation, full of firsts, women and nuns play an important role, and the king will make his prayers loud and audible.
Religious leaders from other religions will also witness the coronation ceremony and participate in it for the first time.
At next Saturday’s coronation, other languages spoken in Britain will be used for the first time, with a song sung in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic.
Despite changes designed to reflect other religions, the three oaths taken by the king and which form the heart and soul of the Mass remain unchanged, including the pledge to preserve “the Protestant faith in its new form”.
Full details of the Mass at Westminster Abbey, whose theme is ‘The Surf’.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said he would “recognise, recognize and celebrate the traditions” and that “they contain new elements and things that reflect the diversity of our contemporary society”.
For the first time, the public will be given a prominent role in the ceremony, as people from around the world will be asked to take part in the oath of allegiance to the King.
“People’s tribute” – their participation in the oath – instead of the traditional “peers’ honor”, peers swear allegiance to the new king. Instead, everyone in church and those watching on television from their homes will be invited to take part in the oath, which Lambeth Palace described as “a choir of millions”.
The wording of the oath: “Repeat all who will in the monastery and elsewhere: I swear true allegiance to your majesty and to your heirs and heirs at law. Help me, O. Lord.”
This division is followed by the well-known cheers of joy.
The Archbishop of Canterbury would then call out “God Save the King” and ask everyone to chant “God Save King Charles. Long live King Charles. Long live the King forever.”
A spokeswoman for Lambeth Palace, the archbishop’s office, said: “It’s really exciting to be honoring people because it’s completely new.”
“It’s something we can share because of the advancement of technology, not just people in the monastery, but people who are online, in front of the TV, listening, gathering in gardens and watching the event. On big screens and in churches,” he added.
And he added: “At that time, when the archbishop calls everyone to participate, we hope that people, wherever they are, whether they are watching alone from home or watching television, will join in the oath and say it out loud. The nation and the world are in favor of the king.”
Lambeth Palace said the Archbishop of Canterbury would “put the pledge behind the pledge” while the pledge – which has remained unchanged for centuries – would retain its Protestant undertones.
He will begin by saying that the Church of England will strive to create an environment “in which people of all faiths and beliefs can live freely”.
A spokesman for Lambeth Palace said: “The religious and cultural environment of the 17th century was very different from that of contemporary multi-faith Britain. Therefore, it will be an introduction to the sector for the first time.”
The BBC’s religious affairs editor Aleem Maqbool said there had been speculation over the years whether the king would change his pledge to reflect a desire to protect the practice of all religions and faiths, but it was a move that would come as a shock. Among some, Church of England traditionalists.
He said leaving the oath unchanged seemed like an elegant solution, and that the Archbishop of Canterbury seemed to express this forward-looking sentiment, but left progressives wondering why protecting the practice of all religions could not be part of it. An “allegiance” verbal agreement with the nation was entered into by the king.
As part of the service, the bishop’s Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Sikh colleagues will present the king with pieces of coronation regalia, including bracelets, robes, rings and gloves.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who follows Hinduism, will read a portion of the Bible – Colossians.
For the first time, leaders of various Christian denominations, including Catholic Cardinal Vincent Nicholas, share the blessings.
After the religious service, the King receives greetings from Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist leaders.
The move reflects King Charles’s firm belief in promoting unity between different faiths through interfaith dialogue and celebrating the core beliefs practiced in the United Kingdom.
A spokesman for Lambeth Palace described the salute as “an unprecedented gesture reflecting the religious diversity of King Charles III”.
The salute will not be heard by most visitors outside Westminster Abbey, as the chief rabbi of the Jewish community observes the Sabbath, which prohibits the use of electricity, including microphones.
King would say prayers out loud, using words inspired by hymns, books of Galatians, and biblical proverbs.
Nuns and nuns from Christian denominations will attend for the first time since the Church of England allowed women to become bishops in 2014.
Bishop Julie Frances Dehgani of Chelmsford and Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin of Dover will work alongside the Archbishop.
Archbishop Justin Welby said the coronation was “first and foremost a Christian liturgy”.
I pray to God that everyone who participates in this service, believers or not, will gain wisdom and new faith that will bring inspiration and joy,” he added.
“Creator. Award-winning problem solver. Music evangelist. Incurable introvert.”