Members of the public watching the coronation will be invited to swear their allegiance to the king in a “chorus of millions of voices” on Saturday.
People around the UK and abroad will be invited to take part in the declaration which replaces the traditional homage of peers. Though some have welcomed the move, others have expressed bemusement.
From those who see it as an anachronism to those mulling over joining in, Guardian readers share their views on the oath of allegiance.
‘Incredibly distasteful during a cost of living crisis’
“I think it’s incredibly distasteful and out of touch. £100m of taxpayers money is going into this ‘ceremony’ while we are in a cost of living crisis. Most of us are suffering and will continue to suffer financially while he’s being crowned. It just shows how detached they are.
“I think from the viewpoint of my generation, we couldn’t care less about pledging allegiance to a monarch. We don’t care about them, they’re an oppressive symbol from a bygone age and in my opinion should be abolished. We lack a true democracy until then.”
Jake Pocklington, 20, delivery driver and musician in Nottinghamshire
‘A relic of a violent colonial past’
“I think the monarchy is an incongruous institution that has no purpose other than as a relic of a violent colonial past, the sooner left behind, the better, especially for the future generation of the world. The less we hold on to these parasitic institutions, the better chance we have at reconciling historic injustices and moving on.
“I think there is a tone deaf message to the Commonwealth countries. ‘Celebrate and recommit to our personal nostalgia for empire, even though you are looking ahead to a future where the violent legacy of our making is only yours to tackle.’
Tanni Mukhopadhyay, 51, independent consultant and adjunct professor in Toronto
‘I think he’s shot himself in foot’
“I would not be able to force the words out of my mouth. On a good day, I could laugh hysterically at the whole thing. Talk about unelected privilege and entitlement.
“I was just so appalled – I’ve never heard of anything so ridiculous and overprivileged. Everything is so wrong about it. I couldn’t believe he would expect people to do that. I think he’s shot himself in the foot – people won’t carry on looking up to him. I think this might have done it – he might just have gone too far. To me it’s actually probably quite a good thing – I think it’s made people think, ‘You must be joking’.”
Barbara Hinds, 77, retired teacher in Essex
‘I might join in if the mood takes me’
“I’d describe myself as a ‘Royalist-lite’. I think the monarchy provides an excuse for spectacular national events like the jubilee, royal weddings, coronations and state funerals. There’s so much history woven into the ceremonies – plus we get extra bank holidays and street parties.
“The oath of allegiance seems like an incredibly cringe idea – did they focus group test it at all? It just seems like they’re gifting republicans an open goal for mocking the coronation. That being said though, I don’t think it’s going to define the occasion, it’s just a bit silly.
“I’m planning on going to St James’s Park to watch it on the big screen. I might join in the pledge if the mood takes me; I’ll see how I feel after a glass of prosecco!”
Andrew, 30, civil servant in London
‘The monarchy should be slimming down dramatically’
“I feel disgusted. At a time when the monarchy should be slimming down dramatically here we are being asked to swear allegiance not only to the king but also to his heirs. For those of us who are Scottish this is like rubbing salt in our wounds. It [reminds] us of our continued inability to extricate ourselves from ineffective Westminster government.
“I am not against the monarchy but it is now so outdated it should be seeking to adopt a very low profile. The vast expense of this coronation is in shocking contrast to the day to day experiences being felt by the population at large.”
Helen Robertson, retired in Scotland
