I do recommend one and all to except that the monarchy today is nothing more than a quaint cultural remnant of days gone by and like the aristocracy merely a trustee of the past. Let's not overdo it, shall we. That does not mean I do not appreciate a bit of royal stage play now and then but let's keep it real.
All existing monarchies have evolved over the centuries they exist. I do think you are taking things a bit too far.
Part of the attraction of the UK monarchy is it splendour. The coronation is unique and an ancient ritual. The idea of simply cutting the coronets for other royals and peer(else)s to me is loosing something very essential to the monarchy of the UK. Not just the king and queen wear crowns, all peers and peeresses do, reminding every sovereign of the Magna Carta and that the sovereign may be elevated but has limits to their regnal power. An old tradition but also very apt to modern life where the monarch has to listen to people elected in office by the citizens of the kingdom.
Charles should be commended for bringing the monarchy into the 21 century as much as possible. Hundreds of people dressed up in Medieval robes and coronets is just not very 2023. How can anyone in his right mind think that we would see an exact repeat of the lavish and very long 1953 coronation? The essence of the age old ceremony has been preserved, the Medieval venue is the same albeit less overcrowded but everything else, thank God, has been brought into the 21 century, including an AC ride to the Abbey in an Australian made carriage!
I suspect the King and Queen will be dreading most the ride back in that terribly uncomfortable golden carriage but at least it will be a relatively short distance. After this final ride they should seriously consider permanently retiring that 4 tonnes weighing golden monstrosity to a museum. But perhaps I am taken it too far now
I think the trouble with this coronation is that we have the images of both the coronations of George VI and Elizabeth II. Both of them were grand events but of a different age. Charles seems to be focused on being a modern monarch. For a man in his 70's possibly not the smartest choice.
I fear for those of us familiar with the previous 20th century coronations the event in a week might be disappointing. The glamour and grandeur of the previous events will have been exchanged for inclusivity and equality. If they really scrap the idea of other royals and nobles using coronets the one thing that reminded the newly anointed and crowned monarch that he is only the primus inter pares has been lost.
I've seen pics of HRH as Gold Stick in Waiting riding astride in white breeches and thigh boots - which would not be appropriate for inside the Abbey I think. Imagine the noise she would make walking down the aisle!
Also seen a pic of her, standing, in trousers and ordinary shoes presumably, which would look much better inside the Abbey.
Riding sidesaddle ["astride" edited out] is very unlikely for the Princess Royal but we never know. She could surprise us but I think the long skirt is not suited to walking because it is a strange shape. Not sure.
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