WESTMINSTER ABBEY

THE CORONATION OF
THEIR MAJESTIES

KING CHARLES III

AND
QUEEN CAMILLA

Saturday, 6th May, 2023

at 11.00 a.m.
 THE CORONATION SERVICE
When William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold at Hastings in
1066, he was determined that he should be seen as the legitimate king of
England. He set his sights on being crowned in the new Abbey Church that
Edward the Confessor had built beside his Palace at Westminster. For
almost a thousand years, Westminster Abbey, with the Shrine of St Edward,
King and Confessor, at its heart, has remained the place of coronation for
our Monarchs.
The rite of Coronation in England, which is really a series of ancient rituals,
has its roots in the ninth century and was codified in the fourteenth in a book
called the Liber Regalis, which the Abbey still possesses. It was further
modified over the following centuries, adapting to changing needs.
Today’s service draws on that long tradition, set once again within the
context of the Eucharist, which is the defining act of worship for the Church
universal. Bible passages will be read from the letter to the Colossians and
the Gospel according to St Luke; the Archbishop will preach a short sermon;
hymns will be sung; and bread and wine will be offered, consecrated, and
received by The King and Queen, to strengthen and guide them in their
public service.

Early in the service His Majesty The King turns to each of the four points of
the compass and is recognised by his peoples as their ‘undoubted King’, who
acceded immediately upon the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
A Bible is presented to The King, upon which he swears oaths to govern the
peoples with justice and mercy and uphold the Churches. Then, for the first
time at a Coronation, The King prays publicly for grace to be ‘a blessing to
all … of every faith and belief’ and to serve after the pattern of Christ.

3
After the sermon, the ancient hymn Veni, Creator Spiritus is sung in languages
from across the United Kingdom, calling on the Holy Spirit just before the
most sacred part of the Coronation rite—the anointing with holy oil. A
Screen shields The King from view as he sits in the Coronation Chair for this
most solemn and personal of moments. Beneath him, the Cosmati pavement
symbolises the whole cosmos on the Day of Judgement, when Christ will
judge all things in his mercy; the King of kings, whom all Monarchs are
called to reflect, and to whom all must give an account.
Once anointed, The King is vested in priestly garments that symbolise both
humility (the Colobium Sindonis) and splendour (the Supertunica, Stole, and
Robe); reflecting the two natures of Christ who ‘though he was in the form
of God … emptied himself … being born in human likeness’ (from
Philippians 2: 6–8). The King represents humanity restored to its full
dignity and glory in Christ, as ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation’ (1 Peter 2: 9).
Various items of regalia are presented to The King, each a visible reminder
of his great responsibility under God. There are Spurs and Armills, which
would have been worn by a medieval knight, and a Sword which The King
first wears and then offers in the service of God. Then come the symbols of
secular and spiritual power: an Orb, representing the world under Christ;
a Sceptre with Cross, representing earthly power, held in a restrained,
gloved hand; and the Sceptre with Dove, representing spiritual authority
exercised chiefly in mercy. There is also a Ring symbolising the faithful
‘marriage’ of a Monarch to his peoples. In particular, those presenting the
regalia to The King reflect the diversity of the United Kingdom and its
peoples, in striking contrast to seventy years ago. A moment of great
symbolism follows when the Archbishop places St Edward’s Crown on The
King’s anointed head, all cry ‘God Save The King’, a fanfare is sounded, the
Abbey bells are rung, and gun salutes are fired.

4
The King then moves from the Coronation Chair to his Throne in the centre
of the Abbey and is encouraged by the Archbishop to ‘Stand firm and hold
fast’, confident in God ‘whose throne endures for ever.’ Once enthroned,
The King receives Homage (a promise of allegiance and faithfulness,
recognising his spiritual and earthly authority), first from the Archbishop of
Canterbury, then from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and finally
the opportunity for the congregation and people elsewhere to participate in
various ways. Before joining The King, enthroned alongside him in the
centre of the Abbey, The Queen is herself anointed and crowned, and
presented with her own items of regalia.
The Liturgy of the Sacrament, with the giving of Holy Communion to The
King and Queen, constitutes the remainder of the service, after which they
retire into the Chapel of St Edward to prepare for the final procession.
In 1547, Archbishop Cranmer preached at the Coronation of Edward VI,
The Almighty God of his mercy let the light of his countenance shine upon
your majesty, grant you a prosperous and happy reign, defend you, and
save you; and let your subjects say, Amen.
Throughout the changing centuries, the Coronation Service has held
together hopes both for our immediate and our eternal destinies. It has been
and still is an occasion for prayer. Today we pray for our King, and pray
with him, for a nation united and rejoicing in its diversity, and, ultimately,
for a world healed and reconciled in the eternal banquet of the saints in
heaven.

5
Members of the Congregation are requested kindly to refrain from using cameras,
video, or sound recording equipment. Please ensure that mobile phones and other
electronic devices are switched off. During the music before the service, please keep
conversation to a minimum. Those who wish are invited to join in the words in bold type.
The church is served by a hearing loop. Users should turn their hearing aid to the
setting marked T.
The service is conducted by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby,
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England and Metropolitan.
The service is sung by the Choirs of Westminster Abbey and His Majesty’s Chapel
Royal, St James’s Palace (Director of Music: Joseph McHardy), with choristers from
Methodist College, Belfast (Director of Music: Ruth McCartney), and Truro
Cathedral Choir (Director of Music until April 2023: Christopher Gray), and an octet
from the Monteverdi Choir.
The music during the service is directed by Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master
of the Choristers, Westminster Abbey.
The organ is played by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, Westminster Abbey.
The Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists are conducted by Sir John Eliot
Gardiner CBE.
The Coronation Orchestra is conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano.
The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry are led by Trumpet Major Julian
Sandford.
The Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force are conducted by Wing Commander
Piers Morrell OBE MVO, Principal Director of Music, Royal Air Force.
The fanfares at The Recognition and The Homage were composed for this service by
Dr Christopher Robinson CVO CBE.
The King’s Scholars of Westminster School are directed by Tim Garrard, Director of
Music.
The Ascension Choir is directed by Abimbola Amoako-Gyampah.
The Byzantine Chant Ensemble is directed by Dr Alexander Lingas.
The Coronation Brass Ensemble is conducted by Paul Wynne Griffiths.

6
Music before the service:
The Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists perform
Magnificat anima mea Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
from Magnificat in D BWV 243
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen Johann Sebastian Bach
from Christmas Oratorio BWV 248
Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied Johann Sebastian Bach
from New Year Cantata BWV 190
Ecce sacerdos magnus Anton Bruckner (1824–96)

Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist, Westminster Abbey, plays

Alla breve in D BWV 589 Johann Sebastian Bach

The Coronation Orchestra plays

Brighter visions shine afar* Judith Weir (b 1954)
Jupiter from The Planets Gustav Holst (1874–1934)
arranged by Iain Farrington (b 1977)
Crossing the Stone/Tros y Garreg Karl Jenkins (b 1944)
Soloist: Alis Huws
Sacred Fire* Sarah Class (b 1979)
Soloist: Pretty Yende text by Grahame Davies (b 1964)
Crown Imperial William Walton (1902–83)
composed for the Coronation of George VI (1937)
arranged by John Rutter (b 1945)
Fantasia on Greensleeves Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958)

7
Be thou my vision; Triptych for Orchestra* traditional Irish melody
Nigel Hess (b 1953), Roderick Williams (b 1965),
and Shirley Thompson (b 1958)

The Assistant Organist plays

Voices of the World* Iain Farrington

The Orchestra plays

Coronation March* Patrick Doyle (b 1953)
Trumpet Tune Henry Purcell (1659–95)
Soloists: Jason Edwards Organist of Westminster Abbey 1679–95
and Matthew Williams arranged by John Rutter
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
from Solomon
Oh, had I Jubal’s lyre from Joshua George Frideric Handel
Soloist: Pretty Yende
Care selve from Atalanta George Frideric Handel
Soloist: Pretty Yende
Nimrod Edward Elgar (1857–1934)
from Variations on an Original Theme arranged by Iain Farrington

Peter Holder, Sub-Organist, Westminster Abbey, plays

Flourish for an Occasion William Harris (1883–1973)
Prelude on ‘Rhosymedre’ Ralph Vaughan Williams

*composed for this service

8
 PROCESSION OF FAITH LEADERS AND REPRESENTATIVES
Faith Leaders and Representatives are led to places in the North Transept. All remain
seated.

Verger

Dr Wendi Cunningham Momen MBE

Director and Trustee, National Spiritual Assembly
of The Baháʼís of the United Kingdom
Mehool Sanghrajka MBE
Institute of Jainology
Malcolm Deboo
President, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe
The Most Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala
Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain,
Head Monk of the London Buddhist Vihara
The Right Honourable the Lord Singh of Wimbledon CBE
Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations UK
Visakha Dasi
President of Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple
Aliya Azam MBE
Al Khoei Foundation, Shia Muslim Community
Mufti Sir Hamid Patel CBE
Star Academies, Sunni Muslim Community
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis KBE
Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the
United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth

9
 Verger

Representing the Churches of Wales

The Reverend Simon Walkling
President, Free Church Council of Wales
The Most Reverend Mark O’Toole The Most Reverend Andrew John
Archbishop of Cardiff Archbishop of Wales

Representing the Churches of Scotland

The Right Reverend The Most Reverend
Hugh Gilbert OSB Mark Strange
President of the Bishops’ Primus,
Conference of Scotland Scottish Episcopal Church
The Right Reverend Dr Iain Greenshields
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Representing the Churches of Northern Ireland

The Reverend The Right Reverend
David Nixon Dr John Kirkpatrick
President, Moderator of the General Assembly
Methodist Church in Ireland of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
The Most Reverend The Most Reverend
Dr Eamon Martin John McDowell
Archbishop of Armagh Archbishop of Armagh and Primate
and Primate of All Ireland of All Ireland and Metropolitan

10
 Representing the Churches in England
Pastor Agu Irukwu Pastor Glyn Barrett
Senior Pastor, Jesus House UK National Leader, Assemblies of God
The Reverend Canon The Right Reverend Mike Royal
Helen Cameron General Secretary,
Moderator, Churches Together in England
Free Churches Group
His Eminence Archbishop
The Reverend Canon Angaelos of London OBE
Graham Thompson The Coptic Church in Great Britain
President, Methodist Conference
His Eminence Cardinal
His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas Vincent Nichols
Archbishop of Thyateira Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster
and Great Britain

PROCESSION OF THE COMMONWEALTH REALMS

Governors-General and Prime Ministers, or their representatives, of the Commonwealth
Realms are led in procession to their seats. National Standards are placed in the
Sacrarium. All remain seated.
Antigua and Barbuda Papua New Guinea
Australia Saint Christopher and Nevis
The Bahamas Saint Lucia
Belize Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Canada Solomon Islands
Grenada Tuvalu
Jamaica The United Kingdom
New Zealand

11
The choir proceeds to places in Quire. All remain seated.
Members of foreign Royal Families arrive at the Great West Door and are conducted
to their seats in the Lantern. All remain seated.
Members of The Royal Family arrive at the Great West Door and are conducted to
their seats in the Lantern. All remain seated.
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales
and Prince Louis of Wales arrive at the Great West Door and are conducted to their
seats in the Lantern. All remain seated.
Their Majesties The King and The Queen arrive at the West Gate. A fanfare is
sounded. All stand.
PROCESSION OF THE KING AND THE QUEEN
Beadle
The Cross of Wales and Lights
Serjeant of the Vestry
The Reverend Canon Paul Wright LVO
Sub-Dean of His Majesty’s Chapels Royal
The Very Reverend Professor David Fergusson OBE
Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland and Dean of the Thistle
The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE
Dean of His Majesty’s Chapels Royal
The Right Reverend David Conner KCVO
Dean of Windsor
The Right Reverend Dr John Inge
Lord High Almoner
The Right Reverend James Newcome DL
Clerk of the Closet
Primatial Cross of York
borne by The Reverend Dr Jenny Wright, Chaplain to The Archbishop of York
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell
Lord Archbishop of York and Primate of England

12
 Pursuivants of Arms
Rouge Croix Pursuivant Portcullis Pursuivant
Bluemantle Pursuivant Rouge Dragon Pursuivant
March Pursuivant Extraordinary Falkland Pursuivant Extraordinary
Linlithgow Pursuivant Extraordinary Unicorn Pursuivant
Ormond Pursuivant Carrick Pursuivant

Orders of Chivalry and Gallantry Award Holders

The Central Chancery The Most Venerable
of the Orders of Knighthood Order of St John
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Segrave Professor Mark Compton AM GCStJ
The Order of Canada The Order of Australia
Professor Margaret MacMillan OM CH CC Yvonne Kenny AM
The Order of New Zealand Knights Bachelor
Richard McCaw ONZ The Right Honourable
Sir Gary Hickinbottom
The Order of Companions The Most Excellent Order
of Honour of the British Empire
The Lord Coe CH KBE Dame Susan Ion GBE
The Royal Victorian Order The Most Distinguished Order
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Andrew Ford GCVO of St Michael and St George
The Right Honourable the Baroness
Ashton of Upholland LG GCMG
The Order of Merit The Most Honourable
The Right Reverend the Lord Eames OM Order of the Bath
Air Chief Marshal
Sir Stephen Dalton GCB

13
 The Most Ancient and Most The Most Noble
Noble Order of the Thistle Order of the Garter
The Right Honourable Lady Mary Peters LG CH DBE
the Lord Hope of Craighead KT
Cross of Valour, Australia Cross of Valour, Canada
Richard Joyes CV First Officer Leslie Arthur Palmer CV
New Zealand Cross The George Cross
Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah NZC Dominic Troulan GC QGM
Victoria Cross, New Zealand Victoria Cross, Australia
Bill Henry Apiata VC Corporal Daniel Keighram VC
The Victoria Cross
Keith Payne VC AM
Heralds of Arms
Albany Herald Extraordinary Rothesay Herald
Marchmont Herald
The Standard of the Principality of Wales
borne by the Marquess of Anglesey
Standards of the Quarterings of the Royal Arms
borne by
The Duke of Westminster The Earl of Caledon KCVO The Earl of Dundee DL
The Royal Standard
borne by Francis Dymoke
Jo Churchill MP The Right Honourable Rebecca Harris MP
Vice Chamberlain Marcus Jones MP Comptroller
of the Household Treasurer of the Household
of the Household

Beadle
The Cross of Westminster and Lights

14
 The Reverend Ralph Godsall
Acting Minor Canon
The Reverend Mark Birch MVO The Reverend Robert Latham
Minor Canon and Precentor Minor Canon and Sacrist
Paul Baumann CBE
Receiver General
Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE
High Bailiff
Canons’ Verger
The Venerable Tricia Hillas The Reverend Dr James Hawkey
Canon Steward and Canon Theologian and Almoner
Archdeacon of Westminster
The Right Reverend Anthony Ball The Reverend David Stanton
Canon Rector Sub-Dean and Canon Treasurer
Dean’s Verger
The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE
Dean of Westminster
Primatial Cross of Canterbury
borne by The Reverend Tosin Oladipo, Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury
The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan
The Reverend Canon Adrian Daffern
Chaplain Extraordinary to the Archbishop of Canterbury

Heralds of Arms
Arundel Herald Extraordinary Wales Herald Extraordinary
Norfolk Herald Extraordinary Maltravers Herald Extraordinary
Windsor Herald Chester Herald
York Herald Richmond Herald

15
 Paul Whybrew CVO RVM Richard Thompson LVO
Sergeant at Arms Sergeant at Arms
The Queen’s Ring
borne by The Right Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Chartres GCVO
The Queen’s Rod The Queen’s Sceptre
borne by borne by General
the Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws KC Sir Patrick Sanders KCB DSO CBE ADC Gen
The Queen’s Crown
borne by the Duke of Wellington OBE DL
St Edward’s Staff The Sceptre with Cross
borne by the borne by the Duke of Buccleuch
Baroness Manningham-Buller LG DCB and Queensberry KT KBE CVO DL,
High Steward of Westminster
The Ring
borne by Brigadier Andrew Jackson CBE, Keeper of the Jewel House
The Spur The Spur
borne by the Lord Hastings borne by the Earl of Loudoun

The Armills
borne by the Right Honourable the Lord Darzi of Denham OM KBE
The Jewelled Sword of Offering
borne by Petty Officer Amy Taylor
The Sword of Curtana, The Sword of
Temporal Justice The Sword of Mercy Spiritual Justice
borne by General the Lord borne by Air Chief borne by General the Lord
Houghton of Richmond Marshal the Lord Peach Richards of Herstmonceux
GCB CBE DL GBE KCB DL GCB CBE DSO DL

16
 Robert Noel Dr Joseph Morrow Timothy Duke
Norroy and Ulster CVO CBE KC Clarenceux
King of Arms Lord Lyon King of Arms King of Arms
David White
Garter Principal King of Arms

Alderman Nicholas Lyons DL Sarah Clarke CVO OBE

Lord Mayor of the City of London Lady Usher of the Black Rod
The Earl of Courtown The Earl of Dalhousie The Right Honourable
Captain, The King’s GCVO DL the Baroness Williams
Body Guard of The Deputy Captain General, of Trafford
Yeoman of the Guard The King’s Body Guard Captain, His Majesty’s
for Scotland Body Guard of the
Honourable Corps
of the Gentlemen at Arms
The Lord Carrington DL
Lord Great Chamberlain
The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres The Earl of Erroll
Deputy to the Great Steward of Scotland Lord High Constable of Scotland
The Duke of Norfolk The Sword of State Admiral Sir Tony
GCVO DL borne by the Right Radakin KCB ADC RN
Earl Marshal Honourable Penny Lord High Constable
Mordaunt MP, Lord of England
President of the Council
The Sceptre with Dove The Orb
borne by borne by
the Baroness Benjamin OM DBE DL Dame Elizabeth Anionwu OM DBE

17
 St Edward’s Crown
borne by General Sir Gordon Messenger KCB DSO* OBE,
Lord High Steward of England
The Most Reverend Dr Hosam Naoum
Archbishop in Jerusalem, bearing the Holy Bible

The Right Reverend Rose The Right Reverend

Hudson-Wilkin CD MBE Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani
Bishop of Dover, bearing the Paten Bishop of Chelmsford, bearing the Chalice

The Right Reverend HER MAJESTY The Right Reverend

Richard Jackson THE QUEEN Graham Usher
Bishop of Hereford, Bishop of Norwich,
Bishop Assistant Bishop Assistant
Freddy Parker Bowles Louis Lopes
Page of Honour Page of Honour

Arthur Elliot Gus Lopes

Page of Honour Page of Honour
Annabel Elliot The Marchioness of Lansdowne
The Queen’s Companion The Queen’s Companion
Major Oliver Plunket
The Groom of the Robes

18
 The Right Reverend HIS MAJESTY The Right Reverend
Dr Michael Beasley THE KING Paul Butler
Bishop of Bath and Wells, Bishop of Durham,
Bishop Assistant Bishop Assistant

Nicholas Barclay Ralph Tollemache

Page of Honour Page of Honour
Lord Oliver Cholmondeley His Royal Highness
Page of Honour Prince George of Wales
Page of Honour
Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson
The Groom of the Robes

The Lord de Mauley TD The Earl of Rosslyn The Right Honourable

Master of the Horse CVO QPM the Lord Parker of
Lord Steward Minsmere GCVO KCB
Lord Chamberlain
The Right Honourable Sophie Densham LVO The Right Honourable
Sir Edward Young KCVO Private Secretary Sir Clive Alderton KCVO
Joint Principal Private to The Queen Principal Private Secretary
Secretary to The King to The King and The Queen

Vice Admiral Sir Tony Sir Michael Stevens KCVO

Johnstone-Burt KCVO CB OBE Keeper of the Privy Purse
Master of the Household
Tim Knox Lieutenant Colonel Michael Vernon
Director of the Royal Collection Comptroller, Lord Chamberlain’s Office

19
 ORDER OF SERVICE
The choir sings

I WAS glad when they said unto me :

We will go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand in thy gates,
O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is builded as a city,
that is at unity in itself.
Vivat Regina Camilla! Vivat!
Vivat Rex Carolus! Vivat!
O pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
They shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls,
and plenteousness within thy palaces.
Hubert Parry (1848–1918) Psalm 122: 1–3, 6–7
composed for the Coronation of Edward VII (1902)
arranged by John Rutter

Their Majesties The King and The Queen move through the body of the Church to the
Chairs of Estate in the Theatre of Coronation

The Regalia, Bible, Paten, and Chalice are placed upon the Altar

All remain standing. Samuel Strachan, Child of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal,
addresses The King

Y OUR Majesty, as children of the kingdom of God we welcome you in

the name of the King of kings.
The King replies
In his name and after his example I come not to be served but to serve.

20
Their Majesties remain standing at the Chairs of Estate in silent prayer

The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury,
Primate of All England and Metropolitan, gives the Greeting and Introduction

T HE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

All sit

D EARLY beloved, we are gathered to offer worship and praise to

Almighty God; to celebrate the life of our nations; to pray for
Charles, our King; to recognise and to give thanks for his life of service to
this Nation, the Realms, and the Commonwealth; and to witness with joy
his anointing and crowning, his being set apart and consecrated for the
service of his people. Let us dedicate ourselves alike, in body, mind, and
spirit, to a renewed faith, a joyful hope, and a commitment to serve one
another in love.

The choir, together with Sir Bryn Terfel CBE, sings Kyrie eleison

A RGLWYDD, trugarhâ,
Crist, trugarhâ.
Arglwydd, trugarhâ.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Paul Mealor (b 1975)
composed for this service

21
 THE RECOGNITION

The King moves to stand west of the Coronation Chair and turns to face east. The
Archbishop says

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?
All respond
God save King Charles.

A fanfare is sounded. The King turns to face south. The Right Honourable Lady Elish
Angiolini LT DBE KC says

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?
All respond
God save King Charles.

A fanfare is sounded. The King turns to face west. Christopher Finney GC says

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?
All respond
God save King Charles.

22
A fanfare is sounded. The King turns to face north. The Right Honourable the
Baroness Amos LG CH says

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?
All respond
God save King Charles.

A fanfare is sounded as The King returns to the Chair of Estate and sits

THE PRESENTING OF THE HOLY BIBLE

The Right Reverend Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the
Church of Scotland, receives the Bible from the Dean of Westminster and presents it
to The King, saying

S IR, to keep you ever mindful of the law and the Gospel of God as the
Rule for the whole life and government of Christian Princes, receive
this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is Wisdom;
this is the royal Law; these are the lively Oracles of God.

THE OATHS

The Moderator receives the Bible and places it before The King. The King stands and
the Archbishop says

Y OUR Majesty, the Church established by law, whose settlement you

will swear to maintain, is committed to the true profession of the
Gospel, and, in so doing, will seek to foster an environment in which
people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely. The Coronation Oath has
stood for centuries and is enshrined in law.
Are you willing to take the Oath?
The King replies
I am willing.

23
The King places his hand on the Bible, and the Archbishop administers the Oath

W ILL 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?
The King replies
I solemnly promise so to do.

The Archbishop says

Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed
in all your judgements?
The King replies
I will.

The King kneels at the Chair of Estate. The Archbishop says

W ILL you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and
the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your
power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion
established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the
settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline,
and government thereof, as by law established in England?
And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the
Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges as
by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?

The King replies

All this I promise to do.

The King places his hand on the Bible and says

The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So
help me God.

24
The King kisses the Bible. The Archbishop says

Y OUR Majesty, are you willing to make, subscribe, and declare to the
statutory Accession Declaration Oath?
The King replies
I am willing.

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 true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant
succession to the Throne, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the
best of my powers according to law.

The King signs copies of the Oaths, presented by the Lord Chamberlain, whilst the
choir sings

P REVENT us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favour,
and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun,
continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally by
thy mercy obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
William Byrd (c 1540–1623) The Book of Common Prayer 1549

The King kneels before the Altar and says

G OD of compassion and mercy whose Son was sent not to be served

but to serve, give grace that I may find in thy service perfect freedom
and in that freedom knowledge of thy truth. Grant that I may be a blessing
to all thy children, of every faith and belief, that together we may discover
the ways of gentleness and be led into the paths of peace; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The King returns to the Chair of Estate and sits

25
The choir sings Gloria in excelsis Deo

G LORIA in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias
agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis,
Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe; Domine
Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis;
qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad
dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus
Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria
Dei Patris. Amen.
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise
thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy
great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the
only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that
takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the
sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the
Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou
only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
William Byrd
from Mass for Four Voices

The Archbishop says

Let us pray.
All stand for the Collect

L ORD, enthroned in heavenly splendour: Look with favour upon thy

servant Charles our King, and bestow upon him such gifts of wisdom
and love that we and all thy people may live in peace and prosperity and in
loving service one to another; to thine eternal glory, who with the Father
and the Holy Spirit reignest supreme over all things, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.

26
All sit. The Right Honourable Rishi Sunak MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, reads the Epistle
A reading from the Epistle to the Colossians.

F OR this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray
for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his
will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy
of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might,
according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with
joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us
from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his
dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the
forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of
every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and
that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him,
and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Colossians 1: 9–17
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

All stand. The choir sings

A LLELUIA, Alleluia!
O clap your hands together, all ye people;
O sing unto God with the voice of melody.
For the Lord is high and to be feared.
He is the great King upon all the earth.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Debbie Wiseman (b 1963) Psalm 47: 1–2
composed for this service

27
The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Dean of His
Majesty’s Chapels Royal, reads the Gospel
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory be to thee, O Lord.

JESUS came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his
custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood
up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet
Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was
written, the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to
preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the
Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat
down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened
on him. And he began to say unto them, ‘this day is this scripture fulfilled
in your ears.’
Luke 4: 16–21
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to thee, O Christ.

The Ascension Choir sings

A LLELUIA, Alleluia!
O sing praises, sing praises unto our God;
O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
For God is the King of all the earth.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Debbie Wiseman Psalm 47: 6–7a
composed for this service

All sit. The Archbishop preaches the Sermon

28
 THE ANOINTING

Their Majesties kneel at the Chairs of Estate. The congregation kneels or remains
seated. The choir sings in English, Welsh, Gaelic, and Irish

C OME, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,

And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
O gynorthwyydd oddi fry, Thy blessed unction from above
Rhodd werthfawrocaf Duw wyt ti: Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Ffynhonnell bywyd, dwyfol dân Enable with perpetual light
Eneinia ni â’th Ysbryd Glân. The dullness of our blinded sight.
Fada bhuain iomain ar nàmh Anoint and cheer our soiled face
Agus builich sa bhad do ghràs With the abundance of thy grace.
Ò, treòraich sinn, a Cheannaird àird Keep far our foes, give peace at home:
Bho bhuaidh gach beud agus cràdh. Where thou art guide, no ill can come.
Go dtí dhíot gurb aithnid dúinn Teach us to know the Father, Son,
An t-AthairMhac, a Spioraid, a rún, And thee of both to be but One,
Tú leo an Triúr i n-éinphearsa That, through the ages all along,
Creidimis ionaibh tré bhiotha na mbeatha. This may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Veni, Creator Spiritus attributed to Rabanus Maurus (c 780–856)
plainsong translated by John Cosin (1594–1672), Grahame Davies,
Iain D Urchadan (b 1966), and Damian McManus (b 1956)

The Archbishop in Jerusalem receives the Ampulla from the Dean. The Archbishop of
Canterbury says

B LESSED art thou, Sovereign God, upholding with thy grace all who
are called to thy service. Thy prophets of old anointed priests and
kings to serve in thy name and in the fullness of time thine only Son was
anointed by the Holy Spirit to be the Christ, the Saviour and Servant of all.

29
 By the power of the same Spirit, grant that this holy oil may be for thy
servant Charles a sign of joy and gladness; that as King he may know the
abundance of thy grace and the power of thy mercy, and that we may be
made a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for thine own possession.
Blessed be God, our strength and our salvation, now and for
ever. Amen.

The King is divested of the Robe of State, and moves to sit in the Coronation Chair.
The Anointing Screen, borne by representatives of the Household Division, is held
around the Coronation Chair. The choir sings

Z ADOK the priest, and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king;
and all the people rejoiced, and said: God save the king. Long live the
king. May the king live for ever. Hallelujah. Amen.
George Frideric Handel 1 Kings 1: 39–40
composed for the Coronation of George II (1727)

During the anthem, the Archbishop of Canterbury anoints The King in the form of a
cross: on the palm of both hands, saying
Be your hands anointed with holy oil.
on the breast, saying
Be your breast anointed with holy oil.

on the crown of the head, saying

B E your head anointed with holy oil, as kings, priests, and prophets
were anointed. And as Solomon was anointed king by Zadok the
priest and Nathan the prophet, so may you be anointed, blessed, and
consecrated King over the peoples, whom the Lord your God has given
you to rule and govern; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit. Amen.

30
The Anointing Screen is removed. The King kneels before the Altar and the Archbishop
says

O UR Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who by his Father was
anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows, by his holy
anointing pour down upon your head and heart the blessing of the Holy
Spirit, and prosper the works of your hands: that by the assistance of his
heavenly grace you may govern and preserve the peoples committed to
your charge in wealth, peace, and godliness; and after a long and glorious
course of ruling a temporal kingdom wisely, justly, and religiously, you
may at last be made partaker of an eternal kingdom; through the same Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE INVESTITURE AND THE CROWNING

The King rises and is vested with the Colobium Sindonis, Supertunica, and Girdle

The King sits in the Coronation Chair

The Spurs are brought from the Altar by the Lord Great Chamberlain. The King
touches them, and the Archbishop says

R ECEIVE these spurs, symbols of military honour and chivalry, that

you may be a brave advocate for those in need.

The Byzantine Chant Ensemble sings

Ὁ Θεός, τὸ κρίμα σου τῷ βασιλεῖ δὸς καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην σου τῷ

υἱῷ τοῦ βασιλέως κρίνειν τὸν λαόν σου ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ τοὺς
πτωχούς σου ἐν κρίσει. Ἀλληλούΐα.
Κρινεῖ τοὺς πτωχοὺς τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ σώσει τοὺς υἱοὺς τῶν πενήτων καὶ
ταπεινώσει συκοφάντην. Ἀλληλούΐα.
Καὶ συμπαραμενεῖ τῷ ἡλίῳ καὶ πρὸ τῆς σελήνης γενεὰς γενεῶν.
Ἀλληλούΐα.

31
 Ἀνατελεῖ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτοῦ δικαιοσύνη καὶ πλῆθος εἰρήνης, ἕως οὗ
ἀνταναιρεθῇ ἡ σελήνη. Ἀλληλούΐα.

Δόξα Πατρί, καὶ Υἱῷ, καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Καὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τούς
αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.

Κύριε, σῶσον τὸν Βασιλέα καὶ ἐπάκουσον ἡμῶν ἐν ᾗ ἂν ἡμέρα

ἐπικαλεσώμεθά σε.

Ἀλληλούϊα, Ἀλληλούϊα, Ἀλληλούϊα. Δόξα σοι ὁ Θεός ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι.

Give the king your judgements, O God, and your righteousness to the son of a king.
Then shall he judge your people righteously and your poor with justice. Alleluia.
May he defend the poor among the people, deliver the children of the needy and
crush the oppressor. Alleluia.
May he live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another.
Alleluia.
In his time shall righteousness flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon shall
be no more. Alleluia.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning,
is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
O Lord, save the king and answer us when we call upon you.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Psalms 72: 1–2, 4–5, 7; 20: 9

During the chant the Lord President of the Council exchanges the Sword of State for
the Jewelled Sword of Offering, and delivers it to the Archbishop, who says

H EAR our prayers, O Lord, we beseech thee, and so direct and

support thy servant King Charles, that he may not bear the Sword in
vain; but may use it as the minister of God to resist evil and defend the
good, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

32
The Jewelled Sword of Offering is placed into The King’s right hand. The Archbishop says

R ECEIVE this kingly Sword: may it be to you and to all who witness
these things, a sign and symbol not of judgement, but of justice; not
of might, but of mercy.

The King rises. The Sword is put upon The King, and he sits. The Archbishop says

W ITH this sword do justice, stop the growth of iniquity, protect the
holy Church of God and all people of goodwill, help and defend
widows and orphans, restore the things that are gone to decay, maintain
the things that are restored, punish and reform what is amiss, and confirm
what is in good order: that doing these things you may be glorious in all
virtue; and so faithfully serve our Lord Jesus Christ in this life, that you
may reign for ever with him in the life which is to come. Amen.

The King stands and offers the Sword at the Altar, where it is received by the Dean.
The King returns to the Coronation Chair. The Sword is redeemed and is returned to
the Lord President of the Council

The Armills are brought from the Altar by the Right Honourable the Lord Kamall.
The King touches them, and the Archbishop says

R ECEIVE the Bracelets of sincerity and wisdom, tokens of the Lord’s

protection embracing you on every side.

The Robe Royal is brought to The King by the Right Honourable the Baroness Merron.
The Stole Royal is presented to The King by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
The King is invested and sits in the Coronation Chair. The Archbishop says

R ECEIVE this Robe: may the Lord clothe you with the robe of
ighteousness, and with the garments of salvation.

33
The Orb is brought from the Altar by the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All
Ireland and Metropolitan. The Archbishop of Canterbury places it in The King’s right
hand and says

R ECEIVE this Orb, set under the Cross, and remember always that the
kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our God, and of
his Christ.

The Orb is returned to the Altar. The Ring is brought from the Altar by the Right
Honourable the Lord Patel KT. The King touches the Ring and the Archbishop says

R ECEIVE this Ring, symbol of kingly dignity and a sign of the covenant
sworn this day, between God and King, King and people.

The Glove is brought forward by the Right Honourable the Lord Singh of Wimbledon
CBE. The Glove is put upon The King’s right hand. The Archbishop says

R ECEIVE this Glove, that you may hold authority with gentleness and
grace; trusting not in your own power but in the mercy of God.

The Sceptre with Cross and the Sceptre with Dove are brought from the Altar by the
Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Archbishop of Wales. The Archbishop
of Canterbury delivers them into The King’s right and left hands, and says

R ECEIVE the Royal Sceptre, the ensign of kingly power and justice;
and the Rod of equity and mercy, a symbol of covenant and peace.
May the Spirit of the Lord who anointed Jesus at his baptism, so anoint you
this day, that you might exercise authority with wisdom, and direct your
counsels with grace; that by your service and ministry to all your people,
justice and mercy may be seen in all the earth.

34
All stand. The Archbishop takes St Edward’s Crown into his hands and says

K ING of kings and Lord of lords, bless, we beseech thee, this Crown,
and so sanctify thy servant Charles, upon whose head this day thou
dost place it for a sign of royal majesty, that he may be crowned with thy
gracious favour and filled with abundant grace and all princely virtues;
through him who liveth and reigneth supreme over all things, one God,
world without end. Amen.
The Archbishop crowns The King
The Archbishop says
God save The King.
All respond
God save The King.

The Coronation Brass Ensemble plays

Wiener Philharmoniker Fanfare Richard Strauss (1864–1949)
arranged by Paul Mealor

The bells of the Abbey are rung. A Gun Salute is fired by The King’s Troop Royal
Horse Artillery on Horse Guards Parade. This is accompanied by Gun Salutes at His
Majesty’s Fortress the Tower of London fired by the Honourable Artillery Company,
and at Saluting Stations throughout the United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Bermuda, and
Ships at Sea

All remain standing. The Lord Archbishop of York and Primate of England, says

T HE Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine
upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up the light of his
countenance upon you, and give you his peace.

35
The Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain says

The Lord protect you in all your ways and prosper all your work in his
name.

The Moderator of the Free Churches Group says

The Lord give you hope and happiness, that you may inspire all your people
in the imitation of his unchanging love.

The General Secretary of Churches Together in England says

The Lord grant that wisdom and knowledge be the stability of your times,
and the fear of the Lord your treasure.

The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster says

May God pour upon you the richness of his grace, bless you and keep you
in his holy fear, prepare you for a happy eternity, and receive you at the
last into immortal glory.

The Archbishop of Canterbury says

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you and remain with you always. Amen.

All sit. The choir sings

O LORD, grant the king a long life, that his years may endure
throughout all generations. Let him dwell before thee for ever. O
prepare thy loving mercy and faithfulness that they may preserve him. So
shall we alway sing and praise thy name. Amen.
Thomas Weelkes (c 1576–1623) The Book of Common Prayer 1559

36
 THE ENTHRONING AND THE HOMAGE
The King is enthroned, escorted by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and
Bishops Assistant, surrounded by Great Officers of State. The Archbishop of
Canterbury says

S TAND firm, and hold fast from henceforth this seat of royal dignity,
which is yours by the authority of Almighty God. May that same God,
whose throne endures for ever, establish your throne in righteousness, that
it may stand fast for evermore.
The Archbishop kneels before The King and says
I, Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, will be faithful and true, and faith and
truth I will bear unto you, our Sovereign Lord, Defender of the Faith; and
unto your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.
The Prince of Wales kneels before The King and says
I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you, and faith and truth
I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.
All stand. The Archbishop says
I now invite those who wish to offer their support to do so, with a moment
of private reflection, by joining in saying ‘God save King Charles’ at the
end, or, for those with the words before them, to recite them in full.
All respond
I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to
your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.

37
A fanfare is sounded, after which the Archbishop says
God save The King.
All respond
God save King Charles.
Long live King Charles.
May The King live for ever.
All sit. The choir, together with Roderick Williams OBE, sings

B E strong, and show thy worth: keep the commandments of the Lord
thy God, and walk in his ways.
Confortare after 1 Kings 2: 1–3
Henry Walford Davies (1869–1941)
composed for the Coronation of George VI (1937)
arranged by John Rutter

THE CORONATION OF THE QUEEN

The Archbishop of Canterbury anoints The Queen and says

Be your head anointed with holy oil.

A LMIGHTY God, the fountain of all goodness; hear our prayer this day
for thy servant Camilla, whom in thy name, and with all devotion, we
consecrate our Queen; make her strong in faith and love, defend her on every
side, and guide her in truth and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Queen’s Ring is brought from the Altar by the Keeper of the Jewel House. The
Queen touches the Ring. The Archbishop says

R ECEIVE this Ring, a symbol of royal dignity and a sign of the covenant
sworn this day.

38
The Crown is brought from the Altar. The Queen is crowned by the Archbishop, who
says

M AY thy servant Camilla, who wears this crown, be filled by thine

abundant grace and with all princely virtues; reign in her heart, O
King of love, that, being certain of thy protection, she may be crowned
with thy gracious favour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Queen’s Sceptre and Rod are brought from the Altar by The Right Reverend and
Right Honourable the Lord Chartres GCVO and The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-
Wilkin CD MBE, Bishop of Dover. The Queen touches them in turn. The Archbishop
says

R ECEIVE the Royal Sceptre. Receive the Rod of equity and mercy.
May the Spirit guide you in wisdom and grace, that, by your service
and ministry, justice and mercy may be seen in all the earth.

The Queen is enthroned, escorted by the Archbishops and Bishops Assistant

The choir sings

M AKE a joyful noise unto the Lord for he hath done marvellous things.
And his holy arm hath gotten him the victory. He hath remembered
his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth
have seen the salvation of our God. O make a joyful noise unto the Lord
all the earth. Make a loud noise; rejoice and sing his praise. Let the sea roar,
the world and they that dwell within. Let the floods clap their hands; let
the hills be joyful together. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth.
Rejoice and sing his praise. For he cometh to judge the earth. And with
righteousness shall he judge the world and the people with equity. O make
a joyful noise unto the Lord all the earth. Sing unto the Lord with the harp
and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful
noise before the Lord the King.
Andrew Lloyd Webber (b 1948) after Psalm 98
composed for this service

39
All stand to sing the Hymn. The King offers bread and wine which are placed upon
the Altar. Their Majesties move through the Chapel of St Edward to the Chairs of
Estate

C HRIST is made the sure foundation,

and the precious corner-stone,
who, the two walls underlying,
bound in each, binds both in one,
holy Sion’s help for ever,
and her confidence alone.
All that dedicated city, Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
dearly loved by God on high, what they supplicate to gain;
in exultant jubilation here to have and hold for ever,
pours perpetual melody, those good things their prayers obtain,
God the One, in threefold glory, and hereafter, in thy glory,
singing everlastingly. with thy blessèd ones to reign.
To this temple, where we call thee, Laud and honour to the Father;
come, O Lord of hosts, today; laud and honour to the Son,
with thy wonted loving-kindness, laud and honour to the Spirit,
hear thy people as they pray; ever Three, and ever One,
and thy fullest benediction consubstantial, co-eternal,
shed within its walls for ay. while unending ages run. Amen.
Westminster Abbey Angularis fundamentum 7th–8th century
Henry Purcell translated by John Mason Neale (1818–66)
arranged by James O’Donnell (b 1961)
Organist Emeritus, Organist of Westminster Abbey 2000–22

40
All remain standing. The Archbishop says

B LESS, O Lord, we beseech thee, these thy gifts, and sanctify them
unto this holy use, that by them we may be made partakers of the
Body and Blood of thine only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and fed unto
everlasting life of soul and body: and that thy servant King Charles may be
enabled to the discharge of his weighty office, whereunto of thy great
goodness thou hast called and appointed him. Grant this, O Lord, for Jesus
Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

And with thy Spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.
It is meet and right so to do.

I T is very meet, right and our bounden duty that we should at all times
and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty,
Everlasting God, through Jesus Christ thine only Son our Lord.
Who hast at this time consecrated thy servant Charles to be our King, that
by the anointing of thy grace, he may be the Defender of thy Faith and the
Protector of thy people; that, with him, we may learn the ways of service,
compassion, and love; and that the good work thou hast begun in him this
day may be brought to completion in the day of Jesus Christ. Therefore
with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, we laud
and magnify thy glorious name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

41
The choir sings Sanctus

H OLY, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy
glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.
Roxanna Panufnik (b 1968)
composed for this service

The Archbishop continues

A LL glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who, of thy

tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death
upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation
of himself once offered, a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and
satisfaction for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his
holy gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his
precious death, until his coming again.
Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee, and grant that,
by the power of thy Holy Spirit, we receiving these thy creatures of bread
and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution,
in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most
blessed body and blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took
bread; and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke it and gave it to his
disciples, saying: take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this
in remembrance of me.
Likewise after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks to
thee, he gave it to them, saying: drink ye all of this; for this is my blood of
the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness
of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.

42
 Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy humble servants, having
in remembrance the precious death and passion of thy dear Son, his mighty
resurrection and glorious ascension, entirely desire thy fatherly goodness
mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most
humbly beseeching thee to grant that by the merits and death of thy Son
Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church
may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And
although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee
any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and
service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences; and to grant
that all we, who are partakers of this holy communion, may be fulfilled
with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.
Amen.

The Archbishop introduces the Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:
All sit or kneel

O UR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy

kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead
us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the
kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

43
The choir sings Agnus Dei, during which Their Majesties receive Holy Communion

O LAMB of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy
upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.
Tarik O’Regan (b 1978)
composed for this service

The Archbishop says

Let us pray.
All stand. The Archbishop says the Post-Communion Prayer

O ALMIGHTY Lord, and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech

thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern both our hearts and bodies, in
the ways of thy laws, and in the works of thy commandments; that through
thy most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in
body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Archbishop introduces the Blessing

Our help is in the name of the Lord:
Who hath made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Now and henceforth, world without end. Amen.

C HRIST our King, make you faithful and strong to do his will, that you
may reign with him in glory; and the blessing of God Almighty, the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, rest upon you, and all whom you
serve, this day, and all your days.
The choir sings Amen. Orlando Gibbons (1583–1625)
Organist of Westminster Abbey (1623–25)

44
All sing the Hymn, during which Their Majesties move to the Chapel of St Edward

P RAISE, my soul, the King of heaven;

to his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for his grace and favour
to our fathers in distress;
praise him still the same for ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise him! Praise him!
glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like, he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hands he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him! Praise him!
widely as his mercy flows.
Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him;
dwellers all in time and space.
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Praise, my soul Henry Lyte (1793–1847)
John Goss (1800–80) after Psalm 103
arranged by Christopher Robinson

45
All sit. The choir sings the Anthem

T HE King shall rejoice in thy strength O Lord.

Exceeding glad shall he be of thy salvation.
Thou shalt prevent him with the blessings of goodness,
and shalt set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
William Boyce (1711–79) Psalm 21: 1, 3
composed for the Coronation of George III (1761)

The choir sings Te Deum laudamus

W E praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.
To thee all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein.
To thee cherubin and seraphin continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.
The noble army of martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee:
the Father of an infinite majesty;
thine honourable, true and only Son;
also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.
Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,
thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,
thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.

46
 We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage.
Govern them and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify thee;
and we worship thy name, ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
William Walton
composed for the Coronation of Elizabeth II (1953)
arranged by John Rutter

A fanfare sounds, and all stand to sing the National Anthem

G OD save our gracious King,

long live our noble King,
God save The King!
Send him victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us,
God save The King!
Thy choicest gifts in store
on him be pleased to pour,
long may he reign:
May he defend our laws,
and ever give us cause
to sing with heart and voice
God save The King!
from Thesaurus Musicus c 1743 anonymous and William Hickson (1803–70)
arranged by Gordon Jacob (1895–1984)

47
 PROCESSION OF THE KING AND THE QUEEN
Beadle
Cross of Westminster and Lights
The Minor Canons
Receiver General
High Bailiff High Steward
Canons’ Verger
The Canons of Westminster
Dean’s Verger
The Dean of Westminster
Primatial Cross of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury
Chaplain Extraordinary to the Archbishop of Canterbury
The Sword of Curtana, The Sword of
Temporal Justice The Sword of Mercy Spiritual Justice
Norroy and Ulster Lord Lyon Clarenceux
King of Arms King of Arms King of Arms
Garter Principal
King of Arms
Earl Marshal Lady Usher of the Black Rod

48
 The Jewelled Sword of Offering

HIS MAJESTY
THE KING
The Bishop of Bath and Wells The Bishop of Durham
Pages of Honour
The Groom of the Robes

HER MAJESTY
THE QUEEN
The Bishop of Hereford The Bishop of Norwich
Pages of Honour
The Queen’s Companions
The Groom of the Robes
The Princess of Wales The Prince of Wales
Prince Louis of Wales Princess Charlotte of Wales
The Duchess of Edinburgh The Duke of Edinburgh
The Lady Louise Earl of Wessex
Mountbatten-Windsor
Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence The Princess Royal
The Duchess of Gloucester The Duke of Gloucester

49
The King is greeted at the Great West Door by Faith Leaders and Representatives,
who say

Y OUR Majesty, as neighbours in faith, we acknowledge the value of

public service. We unite with people of all faiths and beliefs in
thanksgiving, and in service with you for the common good.

The King is greeted by the Governors-General

Music after the service:

The Orchestra plays
March ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ no 4 Edward Elgar
arranged by Iain Farrington
March from The Birds Hubert Parry
arranged by John Rutter
The Sub-Organist plays
Chorale Fantasia on ‘The Old Hundredth’ Hubert Parry
The Brass Ensemble plays
Earl of Oxford’s March William Byrd
arranged by Matthew Knight

The bells of the Abbey are rung

Members of the congregation are kindly requested

to remain in their seats until directed to move
by the Honorary Steward

50
 Printed by Barnard & Westwood Limited, 23 Pakenham Street, London WC1X 0LB
By Appointment to HM The Queen, Printers and Bookbinders & HRH The Prince of Wales, Printers
Printers to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster