Immediately following the Coronation of King Charles III came the homage from the Church, the Royal Family, and the People.
First, the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, stood before the King, who was flanked by the Great Officers of State. He read: “Stand firm, and hold fast from henceforth this seat of royal dignity, which is yours by the authority of Almighty God. May that same God, whose throne endures for ever, establish your throne in righteousness, that it may stand fast for evermore.”
Then, he knelt before King Charles and recited his homage: “I, Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, will be faithful and true, and faith and truth I will bear unto you, our Sovereign Lord, Defender of the Faith; and unto your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”
Next, the Prince of Wales, paid homage on behalf of the Royal Family and royal dukes—in earlier coronation services, all of the royal dukes would have knelt to pay homage, but with the scandals surrounding two members of the Royal Family, it was decided that only William would pay homage.
William knelt before his father, placed his hands in between the King’s, and said: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you, and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”
He then kissed his father’s cheek and touched St Edward’s Crown before returning to his seat.
Finally, the moment came for the Archbishop of Canterbury to invite all gathered—whether in Westminster Abbey or watching around the world—to pay homage.
There had been slight controversy earlier in the week when the public homage was announced, and the wording was changed between the initial announcement and the coronation ceremony.
The initial invitation would see the Archbishop of Canterbury say: “I call upon all persons of goodwill… to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all.”
Instead, the Archbishop said: “I now invite those who wish to offer their support to do so, with a moment of private reflection, by joining in saying ‘God save King Charles’ at the end, or, for those with the words before them, to recite them in full.”
The homage of the people in the final Order of Service reads: “I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”
Queen Camilla was crowned moments afterwards with Queen Mary’s Crown.
