Editorial | New era for Britain dawns with hopes of better China ties
- The coronation of King Charles III comes as the UK’s consul general in Hong Kong looks to an improvement in relations and the benefits that would bring
The coronation of King Charles III on Saturday will involve much traditional pomp and ceremony. Elements of the ritual date back 1,000 years.
But Britain’s new sovereign must look to the future. Thousands will line the streets to watch the royal procession and millions will view the ceremony, the first coronation for 70 years, on television.
There will be street parties on Sunday. The historic – and expensive – event, however, comes at a time when Britain is facing a cost-of-living crisis.
Polls suggest a relatively high level of ambivalence towards the monarchy among British people, especially the young.
Charles, 74, needs to modernise the institution, scaling it back and making it more relevant. This is reflected in arrangements for the coronation.
The guest list and procession route are much shorter than in 1953. Leaders of many different faiths will play a part, as will female bishops, in an attempt to embrace diversity.
