Buckingham Palace has released further details of the ceremonial roles to be performed by individuals in the upcoming Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey. The service, which will see the formal crowning of His Majesty the King, will take place on June 2nd of this year.
The ceremonial roles will include bearing the regalia in the procession and presenting the items to Their Majesties. Those selected for these historic roles have been chosen to recognize, thank, and represent the nation due to their significant service. The individuals chosen include representatives from orders of chivalry, the military, and wider public life.
The first processions into Westminster Abbey will be made up of faith leaders and faith representatives, followed shortly afterwards by representatives from His Majesty’s Realms. National representatives will carry flags from each realm, accompanied by the Governors General and Prime Ministers. Cadet Warrant Officer Elliott Tyson-Lee will bear the flag of the United Kingdom ahead of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Mrs. Akshata Murty, representing the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
The procession of The King and The Queen will be led by the Marquess of Anglesey, the Duke of Westminster, the Earl of Caledon, and the Earl of Dundee. They will carry the Standards of the Quarterings of the Royal Arms and Standard of the Principality of Wales, with Francis Dymoke carrying The Royal Standard.
Mr. Dymoke’s claim to undertake a historic role in the Coronation was upheld by the Coronation Claims Office. The title of King or Queen’s Champion has been held by the Dymoke family since the Middle Ages. The King’s Champion would previously ride on horseback into the Coronation Banquet and challenge any who doubted the right of The King or Queen to the throne. Since there has not been a Coronation Banquet since that held by King George IV in 1821, the Champion has instead undertaken a different role, usually bearing a flag or standard.
Other individuals taking part in the procession will include Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, who will act as Lord High Constable of England for the day. Traditionally, the Lord High Constable is a Great Officer of State and has historically been connected to the military. He will take part alongside the Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk. The Earl of Erroll will act as Lord High Constable of Scotland, a role which has historically been connected to the military and the Earldom of Erroll through a Coronation claim. The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres will act as Deputy to the Great Steward of Scotland, HRH The Prince of Wales.
The regalia will be carried by various individuals, with Baroness (Helena) Kennedy of The Shaws carrying The Queen Consort’s Rod, General Sir Patrick Sanders carrying The Queen Consort’s Sceptre, and The Duke of Wellington carrying Queen Mary’s Crown. The Rt. Reverend and Rt. Hon the Lord Chartres will carry The Queen Consort’s Ring.
On the other hand, General Sir Gordon Messenger, the Governor of HM Tower of London, will bear St Edward’s Crown as Lord High Steward of England. Baroness (Elizabeth) Manningham-Buller LG will carry St Edward’s Staff, The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry KT will carry the Sceptre with Cross, Baroness (Floella) Benjamin OM will carry the Sceptre with the Dove, Dame Elizabeth Anionwu OM will carry the Orb, and the Keeper of the Jewel House, Brigadier Andrew Jackson, will carry The Sovereign’s Ring. Petty Officer Amy Taylor will carry the Sword of Offering and Baroness Benjamin and Dame Elizabeth Anionwu are among recent appointees to the Order of Merit.
