Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg appeared to suggest that the King’s coronation next year should not be a “cut-price” event, as has been suggested amid a cost-of-living crisis. The deeply religious affair will be held on Saturday May 6 next year, with the Queen Consort being crowned alongside Charles, Buckingham Palace announced.
He told Sky News: “We don’t have coronations very often. I think the key to the coronation, actually, is that it’s a religious ceremony. It is effectively a sacrament.”
He said discussions around the cost could not be compared to debates about rising pay demands, although he declined to get into speculation about a precise figure for how much it might cost.
“I hope we see a coronation that is sufficiently dignified for our sovereign. This is a one-off cost.
"The last one was for coronation for a reign of 70 years. So, this is not something that happens often, it needs to be done properly.”
The coronation will take place in Westminster Abbey, eight months after the monarch’s accession and the death of the Queen.
The Palace said the ceremony will be “rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry” but also “reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future”.
Charles III will be anointed with holy oil, receive the orb, coronation ring and sceptre, be crowned with the majestic St Edward’s Crown and blessed during the historic ceremony. Camilla will also be anointed with holy oil and crowned, just like the Queen Mother was when she was crowned Queen in 1937.
May 6 is also the birthday of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son Archie – Charles’s grandson – who will be turning four on the day.
