The Coronation of King Charles III: A Historic Moment for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth

Rev Professor David Fergusson, Dean of the Chapel Royal in Scotland, has written a beautiful prayer for the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III that captures the sacred and historic nature of this momentous occasion.

Prayer - Let us pray:

"Almighty and everlasting God, exalted above all nations and peoples, today we seek your blessing upon Charles, our King. Anoint him with the gifts of your Holy Spirit as he seeks to fulfil his calling amongst us. Strengthen him with wisdom and justice to serve the people of this land to the honour and glory of your name.

We ask you to bless Camilla, our Queen, William, Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and all the generations of the Royal Family. Grant to them joy and peace on this day, and inspire them by your Spirit in their work.

Ever living God, you bring us together in our households, our families, and our communities, and you teach us to love one another as Christ has loved us. In these days of celebration, support us in the service of our neighbours, and in pursuit of the common good of our nation. May your will be done in us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

This prayer acknowledges the importance of seeking God's blessing upon the new King, and asking for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to guide him in his duties. It also calls upon God to bless the Royal Family and inspire them in their work. The prayer recognizes that the coronation is a time of celebration and joy, but also reminds us of our responsibility to serve our neighbours and pursue the common good of our nation.

The words of this prayer are a beautiful expression of the spiritual significance of the Coronation of King Charles III, and a reminder of the role of faith and spirituality in the life of the nation. As we look forward to this historic event, let us take a moment to reflect on the words of this prayer, and ask for God's blessings upon our new King and the Royal Family.

Authorized liturgy for the Coronation Rite of His Majesty King Charles III

For those interested in learning more about the authorized liturgy for the Coronation Rite of His Majesty King Charles III, they can find it at this link. This document provides a commentary on the various elements of the liturgy, including prayers, hymns, and readings. It offers insight into the symbolism and significance of each aspect of the ceremony and is a fascinating read for those interested in the religious and cultural traditions of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

Watch the Coronation of King Charles III this Saturday May 6, 2023 beginning at 5pm AEST

For those in Australia who want to witness the Coronation of King Charles III, the ABC and ABC News will provide live coverage of the event from London, beginning at 5pm AEST on May 6, 2023. The entire coronation ceremony, including the King's Procession, the Coronation Service, and the Procession from Westminster, as well as the Buckingham Palace Balcony appearance, will be broadcasted live on ABC and ABC News. The coronation itself is scheduled to begin at 8pm AEST, so viewers should tune in at least by 5pm AEST to catch the preview coverage. 

Viewers can access the live coverage on the ABC website at https://iview.abc.net.au/collection/live-streams. However, it's important to note that the timing of the coverage may differ based on your location and service provider, so it's recommended to check your local listings for the exact time and channel in your region. Don't miss out on this historic moment that will undoubtedly be a significant and memorable event for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.