A Tory MP has voiced his concern that the King's coronation will be a "dumbed down woke-fest". Speaking in the Commons, Former minister Sir Edward Leigh said the event must be a spiritual one, and not a "celebration of so-called modern Britain".
The Gainsborough MP said the link between the Church of England and the King needed to be maintained when the coronation takes place next year. "By immemorial custom the coronation is a deeply religious and spiritual event," he said.
“Will he convince us that the Church of England will use their influence to ensure that it remains as such, particularly the anointing, and it doesn’t just degenerate into a kind of dumbed down woke-fest celebration of so-called modern Britain?” Responding on behalf of the Church Commissioners, Conservative MP Andrew Selous said: “I can reassure him.
"The anointing of the monarch goes back to biblical times, recognising the outpouring of God’s grace on us all, and a sovereign’s covenant to give his life in service to his people and his God. It is the foundational principal underlying our constitutional settlement.”
Buckingham Palace has previously said the ceremony will be “rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry” but also “reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future”. It is expected to be on a smaller scale and shorter than the late Queen’s in 1953, which lasted around three hours.
It is also expected to be more inclusive of multi-faith Britain than past coronations but will be an Anglican service. It will take place on Saturday May 6 in Westminster Abbey.
