05 May 2023
Rev Peter Crumpler, associate minister at St Paul’s Church in Fleetville, is gearing up for the new King’s Coronation.
I’ve been looking at the Coronation souvenirs, Union Jacks, bunting and paper plates on sale in local supermarkets and gift shops – and wondering how much enthusiasm is around for Saturday’s Coronation.
I’ve found myself reflecting on the current mood of the country, and attitudes within it. And how they compare to the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.
Faith groups will be celebrating the Coronation and all it means, and local street parties will mark the event.
Many churches across St Albans and Harpenden will be holding special events and praying for the Royal Family during services. St Albans Cathedral will be live-streaming the Coronation service and procession and has invited people to come along and bring a picnic with them.
But, just a few months ago, I found on sale in a Welwyn Garden City charity shop some magazines from 70 years ago celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation. It was a real find.
They included a copy of the Radio Times covering the week of the Coronation, and a ‘Coronation Guide Number’ of weekly magazine, ‘Illustrated.’ There were also souvenir post-Coronation editions of the Daily Herald, and Picture Post magazine.
The publications were packed with photographs and articles about the young Queen, and every aspect of the service. The high level of enthusiasm was easy to spot and is backed up by first-hand recollections of the day.
The then Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, wrote in Radio Times, “The Coronation gathers together the continuity of our national life, the heritage we have received of Christian character and achievement, the sense of purpose, duty, and aspiration to which we are called – and it links us all to one lovely, gracious, young figure dedicated to God’s service and to ours.”
That dedication to service, demonstrated by the Queen throughout her life, was much influenced by her deep Christian faith. But 2023 is very different to 1953, and there have been many changes in our society in those 70 years.
A recent YouGov poll, conducted for the BBC’s Panorama programme, showed just 32 per cent of 18-24 year-olds, and 48 per cent of 25-49 year-olds wanting the monarchy to continue. Across all ages, only 58 per cent were in favour.
The research makes tough reading for many royalists, but – given the unpopularity of politicians – it’s hard to think of a candidate that might win universal approval as a head of state.
So I shall be praying for King Charles and for Queen Camilla as they step into their new roles. I shall be praying for the pressures that they, and all their family, will face, and also that they will be a unifying force in our nation, committed to serve all parts of the country and everyone living within it.
A Coronation prayer, published by the Church of England, prays that “King Charles and all who are in authority under him may order all things in wisdom and equity, righteousness and peace.” I’ll say Amen to that, and God save the King.
