The coronation took place today, in case you had not noticed. Several thoughts coursed through my mind throughout. One that kept returning was the thought that Camila was only there because she had been told it was a 'Coronation Street' party. She looked a wee bit disappointed.
My thoughts concerning Archbishop Selby and his fellow Bishops on show were not polite. While working through the liturgy as if he believed it, he forgot to add that he was opposing it with his 'Stonewall' propositions. He was asking the King to be 'defender of the Faith,' while all the time moving away from that very faith. The title itself was given first to Henry VIII in 1521, by Pope Leo X, after he wrote a booklet opposing the works of Martin Luther. He had it removed a while later when he decided to become head of his own church, an action that begat much seen in today's coronation. It had actually been offered to Scotland's King James IV in 1507, many years before, as 'Protector and Defender of the Christian Faith.' It could be said the kings since that date have been defending the Rome version, but I suspect legal moves since have abandoned this.
Anyway, throughout I was not happy with the Bishops performance, more an event than a Christian service, though the biblical words I liked. Leaders of the Anglicans in England are becoming more of a shadow of the faith rather than leaders.
One thought concerned the chair. The throne on which the King is 'kinged,' I note was not as it appeared in the shop. Behind the king were initials cut into the wood, I spent much time attempting to read them rather than watch the event. I winder who scribbled on there, when, how? Probably kids from the choir.
The overlong ceremony did appear to be out of place in today's world. If we have a king we need a coronation, I understand Charles changed much, but it appears the CoE, therefore the Archbishops, who have the last say. It is a church run event.
The BBC coverage continued in the normal royal vane. The commentators bland, grey voices, the information regarding the marchers, the dresses, what the kids were doing, the false enjoyment of nothing almost 'Daily Mail' like. Indeed in the studio a royal correspondent from the paper itself offered his opinions. Who heard the word 'slime ball' there? Others who appeared to offer their thoughts 'How fantastic,' 'wonderful day,' 'excitement,' and so on. Gush, gush. gush. Now I expect much of this at these times, but there is a limit. I also noted the BBC appeared not to mention the 'Not my King' protestors who were arrested, nor the 'Stop the oil' bairns also. Maybe the BBC did not know?
I was more concerned for the troops standing for hours in the rain, sometimes at 'attention.' All night they will be drying their outfits, scrubbing equipment, polishing steel, and proud to have taken part, well, most of them. All will be glad they did not faint, drop the gun, trip, or walk behind the horses.
All have done their duty, the policemen working out how much overtime they will get, the rest sitting in a pub before making off home tomorrow, unless there is more overtime.
Events like this do bring the nation together, however, the generation gap, the Conservative Party, and rising electricity prices have dampened much of these events. The royals will have to work hard to change their image, and possibly within 10 years we may have another royal funeral, and then 'Dim Wullie' under his wife's orders, will be king. Oh dear oh dear...
