Coronation hailed as a 'landmark moment of unity' due to King's behind-the-scenes moves
Royal biographer Angela Levin believes the Coronation could have been an "embarrassment" and that King Charles should be praised for his efforts.
Coronations can take months to plan, given that they are a national celebration, following a period of mourning. But despite King Charles's Coronation being planned at a rapid pace it managed to be a "triumph of unity" that brought different faiths together, says a royal biographer. Angela Levin says the King should be praised for his careful planning because it helped him to avoid any potential tensions during the ceremony.
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She writes that Anglican canon law made it impossible for non-Christian faith leaders to pray out loud in the Abbey. Instead, they were included in the ceremonial procession and gathered around the throne in a modernised ceremony.
Levin writes there may have been concerns for Orthodox Jews and questions if it was “appropriate” for Sir Ephraim Mirvis Chief Rabbi of the UK and Commonwealth to spend Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, in a Christian church.
But despite these difficulties, she says it was a "triumph" because there was a "landmark moment of unity" described by the Chief Rabbi as a gesture of “deep respect” towards Jews and Judaism.
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Behind the scenes, King Charles had taken care to accommodate the Chief Rabbi, by inviting him and his wife to stay close to the Abbey at Clarence House. This would mean it would be easy for them to reach the ceremony as Orthodox Jews do not use transport on the Sabbath, meaning Rabbi Mirvis could walk.
When the service was over, the King walked to the Great West Door to greet five different faith leaders.
During their stay, the Royal Household had a kosher caterer brought in to prepare their Friday night dinner of coronation chicken. Speaking to the news outlets Rabbi Mirvis said: “Our every need was taken care of.”
He even said that recognition had been given to Jews and to Judaism and wanted to share the details to let the community know of the “deep respect” shown.
During the Coronation ceremony, Ms Levin writes the religious leaders reciting a blessing together was “a momentous step to encourage different religions to feel a spiritual and even fundamental unity”.
During the Coronation ceremony, Ms Levin writes the religious leaders reciting a blessing together was “a momentous step to encourage different religions to feel a spiritual and even fundamental unity”.
After the ceremony, the King was happy for Rabbi Mirvis to return to Clarence House and stay there until the appearance of three stars in the sky announcing that Sabbath was over.
Ms Levin writes: “This was not the first time Charles had extended the hand of friendship.”
During a Buckingham Palace reception following the death of the late queen, the King had rescheduled the time of the event, so the Rabbi could get back to his local synagogue before Shabbat.
These gestures are described by Ms Levin as a “ray of hope in difficult times”.
