Amidst a time in our world which feels increasingly fleeting – where everything seems easy to dispose of, delete, and forget, we found ourselves on coronation Saturday in a moment where all seemed timeless.
The pomp and pageantry of the past was on full display in the present as King Charles III was officially crowned.
With precision and symbolism, the world watched a historic ceremony, steeped in tradition, with touches of modern relevance.The fusion was majestic.
While some view the monarchy with indifference or disdain, for many there was a sense of comfort and safety in the regal spectacle which was watched across the UK and around the world.
Seeing time-honored traditions which have been passed down for centuries gave a sense of continuity – as if we are all part of a chapter in time which will ultimately be viewed and judged through the lens of historical perspective, rather than the hypercritical microscope of the moment.
And for a man who has been waiting decades for his true calling and life’s work to begin, it finally did, at the age of 74.
Though often criticized for politicizing his viewpoints as Prince of Wales, from the moment of the Queen’s passing, the tone and tenor of King Charles’s words and work has noticeably shifted toward the people of the UK in a renewed commitment to them, just as his mother would have wanted. You could almost feel her smiling down on the day.
The ceremony in Westminster Abbey was deeply religious, also crowning Charles III as the titular head of the Church of England.
For some, having the first divorced King, who is also married to a divorcee, as the head of the Church seems highly incongruent.
Yet followers of Christ accept that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God – and without Jesus are unworthy of His love and salvation.
The humanity of the King’s imperfection, mirroring ours, was uniting.
And as he faces challenges within his own family – the scandals of Prince Andrew and rifts with Harry and Meghan – these are issues faced by others as well.
God is perfect. Man is not. We are all called to submit and serve, even though we are flawed. King Charles modelled that.
There were many difficult years when Charles, and later Camilla too, were the villains as Diana won hearts as “The People’s Princess”.
Yet now, 18 years after their marriage, the storms of the King and Queen’s past seem distant.
There is a calmness and a quiet confidence in King Charles which was previously absent. That must be due to Queen Camilla.
The British people did their part by showing up en masse, even amidst the rain, to enthusiastically lend their support.
And in a candidly sincere moment, Charles reinforced his vow to those people as he turned one last time before leaving the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Giving a hint of a smile, with a glimmer in his eye, he exposed his heart in a way we rarely see.
In that moment, alone with the people, with one final glance down The Mall, he reaffirmed and revealed his love of the country, his commitment to its people, and his promise to its service.
He truly embodied the line in the anthem “God Save the King” – he was happy and glorious.
Peggy Grande was executive assistant to Ronald Reagan and is author of “The President Will See You Now”.
She was Chair of World for Brexit and served as a political appointee in the Trump Administration.
Peggy serves on the Board of Pepperdine School of Public Policy, and the Board of The Center for American Ideas.
