This was my first time witnessing a coronation and oddly enough, I was paying attention to the words being said as the priest presented each piece of royal regalia to the new regent or king. For me at first were all the sights and sounds. Behind the pageantry and music, I also had a bit of a revelation. The Monarch’s royal regalia are actually soaked with rich spiritual meaning! Prior to this, I had no idea that royal regalia had such rich spiritual meaning (copy here).
Following the anointing, a holy act, he then took his seat on the Coronation Chair, and one by one, each crown jewel were presented to him. Each item had a symbolic and noble significance. They signify the King’s or the Regent’s ministry to God. For my sake, I list them below (1-14), and not in any particular order.
THE CROWN JEWELS
1. The Spurs: symbols of honour and courage for the creation of knights for the defense of king and crown. It’s a reminder to be a brave advocate for those in need.
2. The Sword of Offering or Jewelled Sword symbolizes the word of God or sword of the Spirit. The power of the sword is used for the protection of good. It is a symbolic reminder to defend through advocacy, justice and mercy.
3. Bracelets (Armills) of sincerity and wisdom symbolizes God’s protection.
4. The Royal Robe and Stole symbolizes the robe of righteousness and the garment of salvation.
5. The Orb set under the cross symbolizes the kingdoms of this world has become the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ.
7. The Ring is a sign of the covenant between God and king, and king and people. It is a symbol of promise and commitment. It signifies an everlasting unbreakable bond. The King has a duty to God, and to the people. It also serves to remind the king of God’s unfailing love for him and the people.
8. The Glove is a demonstration of the Sovereign as advocate and challenger for the protection and honour of the people. A gloved hand reminds the chosen sovereign to hold power and authority with gentleness, grace and wisdom, while trusting not in one’s own power but in the mercy of God.
9. The Royal Sceptre with cross represents the ensign of kingly power and justice. It reminds the Sovereign that one’s temporal power and authority are to be wisely exercised for good governance.
10. The Rod of Equity and Mercy (Sceptre with Dove) symbolizes the Sovereign’s spiritual role. The dove with outspread wings represents the Holy Spirit and the Monarch’s pastoral care for the people; it is symbolic of covenant and peace.
11. The Crown surmounted with a cross, signifies kingly dignity and reminds us of God’s loving and costly sacrifice of God’s Son for us. It visibly symbolizes the anointed one, before God, is to serve the nation. It represents the King’s vocation before God, and is a reminder of the promises and vows he has made to the people.
12. The ampulla (the bird-like item) holds the oil that was used to anoint the king.
13. During the coronation ceremony, Charles III was clothed with the Colbium Sindonis, a sleeveless linen tunic symbolizing purity and simplicity.
14. Adorned over this was the Supersonica – an embroidered gold coat worn over the linen tunic to symbolize that the King has been consecrated for the service of God.
REGENCY OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
Extra rambling from me here. Theological linkage between God, royalty and coronation.
The Monarch as the “Regent” or earthly representative of the Sovereign King of heaven.
The noble title to address the Regent is His/Her Royal Highness. Royal Highness subsumes saintly motives and being under the spiritual direction of the priest and prophet.
From the Old Testament we have the munus triplex (triple office) of Priest, Prophet, and King. This explains why the king is also called to be the earthly “Defender of the Christian Faith.”
The heavenly Sovereign is from where our source of rights and freedoms flows (blogged here).
New Epistles 