How many of us said it? And, of those who mouthed or declaimed the words of the coronation oath, in sitting rooms and at picnic tables, to car radios or pub TV screens, how many did so with a sense of fingers crossed behind their backs?
The innovation of the people’s declaration of allegiance to King Charles III had been designed, in the words of the archbishop of Canterbury, to offer “the general public” what for centuries had been the preserve of “national figures”. The idea was that this would not just be a behind-abbey-doors head-nodding of ladies of the thistle and knights of the garter to acknowledge the new king, but a “great cry” of loyalty “around the nation and across the world”. That “call” to the country was toned down to an “invitation” on palace orders at the final hour. Though some people no doubt enthusiastically took up the opportunity, there was another very British response at midday on Saturday: indifference and shoulder shrugging; a collective “nah, not really”, which was probably the voice of a majority.
