9781422277720

ily is the coronation ceremony, a ritual that officially authoriz- es a monarch’s right to rule. Coronations often have a religious component. In Britain, for example, the Archbishop of Canterbury—the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England—presides over the ceremony. The ritual typically includes the use of certain “crown jewels”—the crowns, ornaments, and other jewelry acquired during the existence of the institution. These items can be of great value, skillfully crafted of gold or silver and studded with precious gems. Crown jewels are also worn or carried for state occasions. Such regalia serve the purpose of connecting the present ruler with the history and traditions of the past. Their use represents the continuity of the monarchy. In Britain, the coronation ritual has remained basically the same for a thousand years. It begins with the new sovereign being presented to and acclaimed by the people. After being shown certain crown jewels symbolizing the authority of the monarchy, the new king or queen is asked to swear an oath promising to uphold the law, justice, and the Church. After affirming the oath, the monarch is anointed with oil, present- ed with more regalia, and crowned. Afterward, the new king or queen receives oaths of loyalty, or homage, from subjects of the realm . At the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, held in June 1953, the archbishop placed St. Edward’s crown (created in 1661) on her head. At the end of the ceremony, she removed the corona- tion crown and replaced it with the Imperial State Crown. Wearing that crown, she walked out of Westminster Abbey car- rying in her left hand a hollow golden sphere, called the

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Monarchy: Sovereignty of a King or Queen