On Saturday, Britain will organize a lavish coronation ceremony, the first in 70 years, with King Charles sitting on the throne in solemn Christian rituals and more than a thousand years of history.

The first coronation ceremony for a British monarch since 1937 is a religious confirmation of his accession to the throne, succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022.

And a large part of the Anglican ceremonies that will be held in Westminster Abbey, during which his second wife Camilla will also be crowned queen, is inherited from the 74-year-old ancestors of the 74-year-old king.

But there will also be a clear break with tradition, with the participation of women bishops and leaders of minority religions, and a more diverse and representative guest list of British society.

The issue of the environment will also be present, including anointing the king with vegetable oil and recycled ceremonial clothes, reflecting the issues that Charles has carried the banner throughout his life, namely sustainability and biodiversity.

The organizer of the coronation ceremonies, the Duke of Norfolk Edward Fitzalan-Hood, holds the rank of Earl Marshal, described the event as a "proud moment" in British history.

"During the coronation ceremony, the king will take an oath before God and the nation to serve our country as head of state, uphold our laws and justice for all," he told reporters earlier this week.

The duke, whose family has been organizing official ceremonies since 1483, saw the ceremony as an opportunity to bring together Britain and the Commonwealth of Nations, which includes 56 countries, which Charles also heads.

But not everyone is in a celebratory mood. Republican opponents, demanding an elected head of state, hatched a plan to protest on coronation day with slogans that read "Not mine" (Nat May King).

The enthusiasm of younger people for the coronation ceremony and the monarchy in general appears lukewarm, according to opinion polls.

Outside the UK, Charles's position as heir to the throne is weakening in 14 of the Commonwealth countries. Jamaica may hold a referendum on severing ties with the crown next year at the earliest, according to the Caribbean country's legal and constitutional affairs minister, Marilyn Malahu Fort.

"Jamaica is in Jamaican hands," she told Sky News, adding, "It's time to say goodbye."

Australia is considering a constitutional amendment that would give the indigenous people, who were subjected to oppression in the past by the British crown, a greater institutional "voice" in the decision-making process, which would herald a rupture in the future.
Charles also faces calls for an apology for his ancestors' involvement in colonialism and the slave trade.

South Africa also called for the return of the world's largest diamond, mined during British rule and now one of the crown jewels to be used in religious ceremonies on Saturday.

Back in Britain, political leaders hope that the coronation ceremony will show Britain at its best, and work in some way to repair its international position, which was damaged by its exit from the European Union.

The French and German presidents and senior European Union leaders will be among the 2,300 invitees who will attend the ceremony, along with members of global royal families.

But the lavish display of jewels, tiaras and inlaid carriages is unnerving many Britons who are struggling with the high cost of living and widespread strikes to demand better wages.

"We don't live the same life. People are now struggling," Aidan Ewitt, 38, told AFP in north London.

"I only cook twice a week. I only eat sandwiches. Some people don't eat at all," she added.

Much of the 100 million Egyptian pound ($126 million) cost of the ceremony, funded largely by taxpayers, is likely to go to the massive security operation.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "A national occasion like this, a state event like this, attracts huge global interest that more than makes up for the payout that comes with it."

Trade body UK Hospitality said the weekend ceremonies, which include a public holiday on Monday, could bring in £350m to the entertainment sector, including bars.

Every effort has been made for the greatest display of British pomp and pomp in decades, which goes beyond the Queen's official burial last September.

In all, seven thousand military personnel, from cavalry to marching bands, will take part in the meticulously rehearsed parade.
Charles and Camilla will transfer from Buckingham in the Diamond Jubilee carriage, and then return to the palace the same route on the older golden carriage, following the two-hour ceremony in the chapel.

In the palace, they will be greeted by members of the armed forces, and then they will follow ceremonial sorties from the balcony of the palace with other members of the royal family.