President Joe Biden was noticeably absent as world leaders gathered to attend the coronation of Charles III as the king of the United Kingdom on Saturday, the first coronation ceremony since 1953.
During the ceremony that took place at Westminster Abbey in London, the 74-year-old Charles promised to serve the British people and uphold the Church of England. Charles’ wife, Camilla, was crowned queen during the historic ceremony.
“I come not to be served, but to serve,” Charles said before the archbishop of Canterbury put St. Edward’d Crown, made in 1661, on his head.
“Stand 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 forever, establish your throne in righteousness, that it may stand fast for evermore,” said Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during the crowning.
There was no legal requirement for the coronation as Charles automatically became king when Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022. The ceremony still took place as a religious ritual and served as a formal confirmation of Charles’ role as head of state and titular head of the Church of England.
During the ceremony, Charles swore on a Bible the Accession Declaration Oath, a promise to maintain the Protestant claim to the throne.
“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,” Charles said.
The oil used to anoint Charles was made with olives from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, the place where Jesus Christ prayed before his crucifixion.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
Prince William, son of Charles, was given the opportunity to promise his loyalty during the ceremony. “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,” he said.
Controversial royal figures Prince Harry and Prince Andrew were also in attendance at the ceremony but did not have speaking roles.
There were roughly 8,000 people in attendance at the ceremony, which was attended by many world leaders with the notable absence of President Joe Biden though first lady Jill Biden was in attendance.
The last British coronation occurred on June 2, 1953, when Charles’ late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, began her record-breaking 70-year reign. President Dwight Eisenhower did not attend her coronation, instead opting to send other representatives from the U.S.