King Charles III was shielded from public view during a key part of his coronation service in Westminster Abbey. The most sacred element of the event on Saturday (May 6) involved the King being anointed with holy oil.
As a religious ceremony, this is the central act of the coronation and it also takes place in private. This meant Charles was shielded by a new partition, featuring a special embroidered design celebrating the Commonwealth.
Charles wore a simple white shirt behind the screen, representing the fact that he comes before God as a servant. The Dean of Westminster then poured oil from the ampulla into the coronation spoon, reports the Manchester Evening News.
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The Kind was then anointed on his hands, breast and head by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who used his fingers. The screen was then removed, allowing the rest of the ceremony to take place in full public view.
The Queen was also shielded during her coronation in 1953, with a canopy being used on that occasion. Charles opted for more seclusion this time, having been enclosed on three sides.
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