History
Canadian Armed Forces Welcomes New Commander-in-Chief: King Charles III
Mishall RehmanAbove images courtesy of the Royal Family.
After a majestic coronation ceremony, King Charles III is officially the new sovereign of England and the entire Commonwealth. Held on Saturday, May 6, dignitaries from more than 200 countries attended the event.
In a stunning display of the Crown’s wealth, power and influence, Saturday’s coronation was celebrated by the entire country of England. The streets were lined with thousands and thousands of loyal subjects in a coronation witnessed in England after 70 years.
Saturday’s ceremony not only crowned His Majesty King Charles III but also his wife, Camilla, was crowned as England’s Queen Consort.
“Millions of people across the UK and beyond have celebrated the coronation of King Charles III- a symbolic ceremony combining a religious service and pageantry,” read a statement from Buckingham Palace.
Ceremony at Westminster Abbey
The coronation ceremony took place at the Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday afternoon. King Charles became the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned there since 1066. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the ceremony.
On the way to the ceremony, the King and Queen arrived in a procession in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.
The ceremony itself included a recognition, the oath, the anointment, the investiture or the formal placement of the crown on the King’s head, and the enthronement.
In total, more than 2,200 people from 203 countries attended the ceremony. Many of the guests were faith leaders and representatives from Commonwealth countries. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie Trudeau, and the Excellencies the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, were in attendance.
CAF Contingent
Known as Operation ORB, King Charles III coronation festivity’s took place in Canada and the United Kingdom. A Canadian contingent of 45 Canadian Armed Forces members participated in the coronation military parade in London. Also, Colonel Jeremy Hansen, CAF member and Canadian astronaut, carried Canada’s flag at the coronation ceremony.
Earlier today when I was getting ready for the coronation ceremony with my fellow Standard Bearers.#Coronation #CoronationWeekend pic.twitter.com/8b891pVr00
— Jeremy R. Hansen (@Astro_Jeremy) May 6, 2023
According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the military members were selected on personal merit, as they represented the best serving in the Forces, the contingent featured:
- 16 members from the Canadian Army,
- 11 members from the Royal Canadian Navy,
- 11 members from the Royal Canadian Air Force,
- six members from Canadian Special Operations Forces Command and
- one Officer Cadet from the Royal Military College.
After the ceremony, the royal family went on a grand parade from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.
In Canada celebrations took place in Ottawa where 30th Field Artillery Regiment members did a 21 Gun Salute in honour of King Charles III Coronation.
Celebrations Continue Sunday
After the formal ceremony of the coronation on Saturday, casual and celebratory events were planned for Sunday for the country to enjoy.
Members of the royal family attended community events during the day. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended a Coronation Big Lunch in Cranleigh, Surrey. Similarly, the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, joined a community street party in Swindon.
Later in the day, a coronation concert took place at Windsor Castle that featured performances by Katy Perry and Take That.
Canada Celebrates New Head of State
Canada celebrated the crowning of its new Head of State in a number of different ways, including a national ceremony held in Ottawa.
Additionally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed $100,000 to the Nature Conservancy of Canada to mark the coronation.
The Government of Canada also has unveiled a new Royal Crown, Royal Flag, Canadian stamp, and collector coins. This means King Charles III will replace his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Canada’s coins and $20 bill.
“Today, we ring in the reign of His Majesty King Charles III and reaffirm Canada’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us be reminded of our shared values of inclusivity, diversity, and respect for human rights as we work together to build a better future for all members of the Commonwealth,” stated Trudeau.
The Government of Canada will award 30,000 Coronation medals to Canadians who have “made a significant contribution to Canada, a province, territory, region or community, or an achievement abroad that brings benefit or honour to Canadians or Canada,” according to a press release.
As Canada’s King, King Charles III is the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces. Canada’s Governor General, currently Mary Simon, represents him.
