Expectation and protests before the first coronation of a British king in 70 years

Seventy years after his mother, Charles III will be crowned this Saturday in a ceremony full of tradition and symbolism, unique in Europewhich will gather thousands of admirers in London but it will not be exempt from anti-monarchical protests.

Foreign guests, from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to King Felipe VI and Letizia of Spain, including US First Lady Jill Biden, arrived in London, where the monarch held a reception in his honor on Friday afternoon. .

Before, the king had walked in the vicinity of Buckingham Palace, along with his eldest son, William, 40 years old and heir to the throne, and his wife, Catherine.

Smiling and relaxed, the three shook hands, chatted and took photos with the many fans and tourists who had gathered despite the heavy rain that had recently fallen.

Royal fans have been camping out for days on the Mall, the long avenue that leads to the palace, to secure a front-row spot from which to view the royal procession.

“It is a historic moment. We are very lucky to experience a coronation”said Marie Scott, 52, ensuring that seeing the real events in person is not the same as on television.

Others, like Mimi Gill, a 43-year-old American fan of the Netflix series “The Crown”they will not only enjoy following it on the small screen, but they will comment on it live on social networks with “fans from all over the world”.

And thousands of tourists will land in London hoping to enjoy the celebration in its streets decorated with British flags.

The ceremony will take up elements with centuries of history, but will be modernized with the participation of women bishops, leaders of minority religions and a guest list based on the “meritocracy” instead of “aristocracy”.

The environmental theme will also have its part, with a vegan anointing oil and recycled ceremonial garments.

Youth disinterest

“This is a moment of enormous national pride”said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

But if the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953 was followed by 27 of the then 36 million Britons, it arouses much less expectation: 62% of respondents said they were not interested, in a survey published by YouGov on Thursday.

Another poll by the same cabinet indicated that 25% of Britons would prefer an elected head of state, a percentage that rises to 40% among 18-24 year olds.

Crowned at the age of 74, eight months after the death of his mother, Carlos III has the mission of modernizing the institution.

But despite his close and warm attitude, his decision to collaborate in the investigation on the ties of the monarchy with slavery and his long-standing passion for ecology, it is difficult for him to seduce the new generations.

Criticism for the cost

Charles III, whose role is purely ceremonial and without political power, came to the throne in a United Kingdom faced with multiple challenges, from secessionist aspirations in Scotland and Northern Ireland to the serious crisis over the cost of living.

“We do not live the same life, right now many people are suffering” by the crisis, stressed Eden Eawit, a 38-year-old Londoner who laments the high cost of the ceremony, up to 100 million pounds (125 million dollars), according to the press, mainly due to tight security measures.

The anti-monarchist group “republic” plans a protest in central London on Saturday.

Jamaica, a Commonwealth country of which Charles III is also king, said on Thursday that it wants to secede from the British crown. And the Prime Minister of Belize, Johnny Briceño, considered that his country will be “probably” the next member of the Commonwealth to become a republic, criticizing England’s role in the slave trade.

The king, despite everything, had some satisfaction, such as when he received leaders of indigenous peoples from Canada and Brazil on Thursday.

Two of them, Uyunkar Domingo Peas and Atossa Soltani, activists from the Amazon, gave her a feather headdress. “In recognition of his commitment to the protection of the forest and the restoration of harmony between humanity and nature.”

Pope Francis, who will not travel to London, will be represented by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

As already happened for Elizabeth II’s funeral in September, Venezuela was not invited, as were other countries such as Russia and Afghanistan.

Others, like Nicaragua and North Korea, only received invitations for their heads of delegation.

Source: AFP