History

Canadian Armed Forces Welcomes New Commander-in-Chief: King Charles III

Above images courtesy of the Royal Family. 

After a majestic coronation ceremony, King Charles III is officially the new sovereign of England and the entire Commonwealth. Held on Saturday, May 6, dignitaries from more than 200 countries attended the event.

In a stunning display of the Crown’s wealth, power and influence, Saturday’s coronation was celebrated by the entire country of England. The streets were lined with thousands and thousands of loyal subjects in a coronation witnessed in England after 70 years.

Saturday’s ceremony not only crowned His Majesty King Charles III but also his wife, Camilla, was crowned as England’s Queen Consort.

“Millions of people across the UK and beyond have celebrated the coronation of King Charles III- a symbolic ceremony combining a religious service and pageantry,” read a statement from Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of Kent, The Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Gloucester, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Princess Royal, The King, The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Princess of Wales, The Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, The Duke of Edinburgh. Photo by: Hugo Burnand. Image courtesy Royal Family.

Ceremony at Westminster Abbey

The coronation ceremony took place at the Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday afternoon. King Charles became the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned there since 1066. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the ceremony.

On the way to the ceremony, the King and Queen arrived in a procession in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach.

The ceremony itself included a recognition, the oath, the anointment, the investiture or the formal placement of the crown on the King’s head, and the enthronement.

In total, more than 2,200 people from 203 countries attended the ceremony. Many of the guests were faith leaders and representatives from Commonwealth countries. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie Trudeau, and the Excellencies the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, were in attendance.

Members of the Canadian Contingent march on The Mall as part of His Majesty King Charles III Coronation’s procession in support of Operation GOLDEN ORB in London, United Kingdom, on May 6, 2023. Please credit: Cpl Hugo Montpetit, Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Canadian Armed Forces Photo.

CAF Contingent

Known as Operation ORB, King Charles III coronation festivity’s took place in Canada and the United Kingdom. A Canadian contingent of 45 Canadian Armed Forces members participated in the coronation military parade in London. Also, Colonel Jeremy Hansen, CAF member and Canadian astronaut, carried Canada’s flag at the coronation ceremony.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the military members were selected on personal merit, as they represented the best serving in the Forces, the contingent featured:

  • 16 members from the Canadian Army,
  • 11 members from the Royal Canadian Navy,
  • 11 members from the Royal Canadian Air Force,
  • six members from Canadian Special Operations Forces Command and
  • one Officer Cadet from the Royal Military College.

After the ceremony, the royal family went on a grand parade from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

In Canada celebrations took place in Ottawa where 30th Field Artillery Regiment members did a 21 Gun Salute in honour of King Charles III Coronation.

Princess Charlotte of Wales and Princess Kate of Wales wave as their carriage makes its way to Buckingham Palace as part of Operation GOLDEN ORB in London, United Kingdom on May 6, 2023. Photo by: Master Corporal Matthew Tower, Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Canadian Forces Photo.

Celebrations Continue Sunday

After the formal ceremony of the coronation on Saturday, casual and celebratory events were planned for Sunday for the country to enjoy.

Members of the royal family attended community events during the day. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended a Coronation Big Lunch in Cranleigh, Surrey. Similarly, the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, joined a community street party in Swindon.

Later in the day, a coronation concert took place at Windsor Castle that featured performances by Katy Perry and Take That.

King Charles III on his Coronation Day. Image courtesy of the Royal Family.

Canada Celebrates New Head of State

Canada celebrated the crowning of its new Head of State in a number of different ways, including a national ceremony held in Ottawa.

Additionally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed $100,000 to the Nature Conservancy of Canada to mark the coronation.

The Government of Canada also has unveiled a new Royal Crown, Royal Flag, Canadian stamp, and collector coins. This means King Charles III will replace his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Canada’s coins and $20 bill.

The celebration of His Majesty King Charles III Coronation held at the Sir John A Macdonald Building in Ottawa, Ontario on 6 May 2023. King Charles Canadian stamp, and collector coin revealed. Photo Credit: Corporal Peter Grieves, Canadian Forces Support Group (Ottawa-Gatineau).

“Today, we ring in the reign of His Majesty King Charles III and reaffirm Canada’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us be reminded of our shared values of inclusivity, diversity, and respect for human rights as we work together to build a better future for all members of the Commonwealth,” stated Trudeau.

30th Field Artillery Regiment members prepare for the 21 Gun Salute in Ottawa, Ontario on May 06, 2023 in honour of King Charles III Coronation. Photo by: Corporal Antoine Brochu, Assistant Deputy Minister (Public Affairs), Canadian Armed Forces photo.

The Government of Canada will award 30,000 Coronation medals to Canadians who have “made a significant contribution to Canada, a province, territory, region or community, or an achievement abroad that brings benefit or honour to Canadians or Canada,” according to a press release.

As Canada’s King, King Charles III is the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces. Canada’s Governor General, currently Mary Simon, represents him.

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Mishall Rehman

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Mishall is a freelance journalist pursuing her passion for writing in her new homeland Canada. She currently lives in Trenton, ON with her husband.

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