Historically the homage part of the Coronation has involved Archbishops, royal blood princes and senior peers.
King Charles III has decided to have the homage be more inclusive and one homage, more limited.
The first homage is at the beginning of the service known as The Recognition. King Charles will stand and turn in the four directions of Westminster Abbey, presenting himself to the people. Archbishop Justin Welby will turn to the high altar and say: “I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King.”
In a more inclusive change, for the first time three different people will make the same declaration from the other three directions. Lady Angiolini, representing Scotland’s oldest Order of Chivalry the Order of the Thistle, Baroness Amos of England’s oldest Order of Chivalry in England the Order of the Garter and George Cross Holder Christopher Finney, chair of the Victoria Cross & George Cross Association and representing recipients of the bravery medals will also say: “I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King.”
The crowd will then be asked: “Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service: are you willing to do the same?” To which the crowd will respond: “God save King Charles.”
Then at the end of King Charles III’s coronation, known as the Enthronement and Homage is when the Church of England, Prince William, the crowd and viewers will have a chance to participate.
Immediately after the Enthronement, Archbishop Welby will perform the homage of the Church of England. Welby says: “I, Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, will be faithful and true, and faith and truth 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 is the homage of royal blood. Prince William will carry out this duty. In past coronations, Dukes would pay homage to the new monarch. King Charles decided only the Prince of Wales would perform this task in his coronation.
Prince William will kneel before King Charles and placing his hands between his father’s hands will say: “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.”
The final homage is the new homage of the people. This homage, replaces the homage of peers. It is at this point anyone watching is invited to join in the ceremony. Archbishop Welby says: “I call upon all persons of goodwill in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of the other realms and the territories to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all.”
The response for everyone who wishes is: “I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”
The new homage of the people has made news and caused some complaints. Archbishop Welby was asked his thoughts on this division this opportunity has caused: “If it wasn’t this, it would have been something else. It is simply an open invitation to people. It’s hospitality. Join in if you want. There’s no pressure on people.”
After the homage, the Archbishop of Canterbury will declare: “God Save the King” with the people replying, “God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live forever.”
At this point, the Coronation of the Queen Consort will begin.
