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ABC News
ABC News
National
Lara Smit

Archbishop of Canterbury invites public to pledge allegiance to King Charles III during coronation

King Charles III's coronation will take place on May 6. (Reuters: Phil Noble)

Members of the public have been asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury to pledge their allegiance to the new monarch  out loud during King Charles III's coronation, in a new addition to the ancient ceremony.

The pledge is one of multiple changes to the ceremony that were revealed on Saturday, London time.

On May 6, during the coronation, the Archbishop of Canterbury will lead the pledge, which is called the Homage of The People, calling on the people of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and other Realms and Territories:

"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 public is then asked to state the following: 

"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 bishop then says "God save The King", to which all are asked to reply "God save King Charles, long live King Charles, may The King live for ever." 

That pledge replaces the homage of peers, a key element of the coronation ceremony for centuries, which expected dukes to pay homage and pledge allegiance to the monarch.

However, this requirement has been removed and replaced with the Homage of the People, which invites everyone to participate from their own home.

The Church of England notes that the change is "a new and significant moment in the tradition of the coronation". 

"Never before in our history have the general public been offered such an opportunity to join with national figures in declaring their allegiance to a new sovereign," it says. 

Other changes to the ceremony

A list of changes to the ancient coronation ceremony have been introduced, hoping to "represent and celebrate the diversity of our nation today". 

For the first time, the service will include other languages associated with the United Kingdom. 

There will be a prayer in Welsh and a hymn sung in Welsh, Scottisch Gaelic and Irish Gaelic. 

Another change includes having female bishops participate in the coronation for the first time. 

Buckingham Palace has also tried to involve different faiths in the ceremony by asking Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh peers to present some of the Regalia that have no Christian meaning nor symbolism. 

At the close of the service, before King Charles III proceeds to the gold state coach, he will receive and acknowledge a spoken greeting delivered in unison by representatives from Jewish, Hundi, Sikh, Muslim and Buddhist communities. 

"I am delighted that the service will recognise and celebrate tradition, speaking to the great history of our nation, our customs, and those who came before us," the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said. 

"At the same time, the service contains new elements that reflect the diversity of our contemporary society.

"It is my prayer that all who share in this service, whether they are of faith or no faith, will find ancient wisdom and new hope that brings inspiration and joy." 

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