The millions of people watching the coronation of King Charles III will be asked to swear allegiance by saying an oath to the King during the ceremony.
The 'modernised' coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday between 11am and 1pm. And the public will have a role in the ceremony for the first time as the service will include the first-ever Homage of the People which will replace the traditional Homage of Peers.
It is hoped those gathering to watch the coronation on TV, online or on big screens will take part in the “great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King”
Read more: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
The moment will come towards the end of the ceremony when the Archbishop of Canterbury will invite those who wish to offer their support to do so, with a moment of private reflection, by joining in saying ‘God save King Charles’ at the end, or, for those with the words before them, to recite them in full.
The words are: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and toyour heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.
The playing of a fanfare will then follow.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will then proclaim “God Save The King”, with all asked to respond: “God Save King Charles. Long Live King Charles. May The King live for ever.”
The coronation of the Queen Consort Camilla will then take place.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and Prince William will also pay homage to the King during the coronation. The Archbishop will pay homage representing the Church of England, followed by the Prince of Wales who will perform the only Homage of Royal Blood.
Prince William will kneel before Charles and place his hands between his father’s and vow to be his “liege man of life and limb”.
He will then say: “I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God.”
The symbolic act means the heir to throne has a mutual obligation to the monarch.
A spokesman for Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop’s office, said: “The Homage of the People is particularly exciting because that’s brand new.
“That’s something that we can share in because of technological advances, so not just the people in the Abbey, but people who are online, on television, who are listening, and who are gathered in parks, at big screens and churches.
“Our hope is at that point, when the Archbishop invites people to join in, that people wherever they are, if they’re watching at home on their own, watching the telly, will say it out loud – this sense of a great cry around the nation and around the world of support for the King.”
READ NEXT:
Coronation Concert will feature Union Jack shaped stage that will extend out to audience
King's Coronation day - full list of key timings and schedule
'We compared M&S Coronation shortbread with Morrisons - this one took the crown
Manchester bar to offer free drinks to anyone named Charles or Camilla for Coronation
Crocheted King Charles turns up in the hometown of Harry Styles ahead of Coronation
