King Charles III has chosen to emphasise his role as servant of the people in one of the most important symbols of his Coronation.
The Anointing Screen which will be held around His Majesty at the moment holy oil is placed on his head, chest and hand features his cypher at the base of a tree covered in symbols of the Commonwealth. It has been designed to focus on his service to the family of nations.
The emphasis follows directly from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II who famously pledged that her life would be dedicated to the service of others. In her historic Platinum Jubilee message, the only one ever issued by a British Monarch, she signed herself ‘Your Servant, Elizabeth R.’ And just hours after becoming King, Charles III, in his first address as Monarch, said ”That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today.”
His pledge continues in the symbolism on the Anointing Screen.
The three sided screen has been created by the Royal School of Needlework to a design by iconographer, Aidan Hart. The main panel features a tree with nods to each of the 56 nations of the Commonwealth. It was inspired by the stained glass Sanctuary Window of the Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace which was presented as a gift to Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 to mark her Golden Jubilee by the Livery of Companies.
The Livery, along with the Corporation of the City of London, has given the Anointing Screen to King Charles for his Coronation.
The other two panels of the screen are made of maroon material with a blue, gold and red cross. The inspiration for this part of the design comes from the Cosmati Pavement, the ancient tiled formation which sits at the heart of Westminster Abbey. It is central to the ‘Coronation Theatre’ where King Charles and Queen Camilla will be crowned.
The symbolism of the screen continues as it reaches towards the vaulted ceiling of the Abbey. It will be held aloft on a wooden frame which has been made from a windblown tree from the Windsor estate, highlighting His Majesty’s long held dedication to sustainability. On top of the poles are two eagles, a sign of royalty and a symbol used by other Monarchs at their Coronations, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
These eagles are cast in bronze and gilded in gold leaf. The use of the eagle also echoes the Ampulla, the tiny vessel that forms part of the Crown Jewels and which will be used to hold the oil of Chrism with which King Charles and Queen Camilla will be anointed. The oil, made from olives grown in Jerusalem including a grove at the Monastery of St. Mary Magdalene where His Majesty’s grandmother, Princess Alice, is buried has already been consecrated.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be crowned on May 6 2023 at Westminster Abbey.
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