Coronation of a King

Pastor David Wong and his wife Jenny “happened” to be in England at the time when King Charles III was crowned on 6 May 2023. Though not invited to the ceremonies, he shares his thoughts from a closer distance than most readers.

On the day of the Coronation of King Charles III, I saw a young man in the market square of Cambridge holding up a sign declaring, “Not My King.” He may represent those who no longer believe in the British monarchy—at least not the current monarch. Whatever the issues surrounding this coronation, the first since 1953, my interest lies in how much the title “the Defender of the Faith” has evolved over the last 70 years.

At the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II last September, her faith in Jesus Christ came across in no uncertain terms. The Archbishop of Canterbury boldly announced that all who share her faith would see her again. Will her son Charles uphold the same faith, now that Britain has a Hindu prime minister, a Muslim mayor of London, and a Buddhist Home Secretary? As king of all, will he be the defender of all faiths?

In 2015, after the then-Prince Charles suggested the term “Defender of Faith” without the article before “Faith,” he clarified, “It’s always seemed to me that, while at the same time being Defender of the Faith, you can also be protector of faiths… the Church has a duty to protect the free practice of all faiths in this country.”

On Coronation Day, my wife and I had dinner with an old English friend, now approaching 80. He shared his thoughts, reading to us parts of the coronation liturgy as “Commissioned and Authorised by the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.” The King is received in the name of the King of Kings. The Bible is presented to him as a guide for his rule. Scriptures are read throughout the service. (You may Google the entire liturgy, now available.)

(Dinner with Ray Porter, former OMF missionary to Indonesia)

For now, tradition seems to have held its ground against radical change. How will the reign of King Charles measure up to the legacy of Queen Elizabeth? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, we are exhorted: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV).

Let us pray for kings and rulers—though all are imperfect—who point to the perfect King of kings, Jesus Christ. The Sunday after Coronation Day, we worshipped at the Church of St Andrew the Great in Cambridge. How appropriate that the opening song, sung with gusto by the multiethnic congregation, went,

“There is a higher throne
Than all this world has known,
Where faithful ones from ev'ry tongue
Will one day come…

“All glory, wisdom, pow'r,
Strength, thanks, and honor are
To God our King, who reigns on high
Forevermore.”

I can boldly and unashamedly hold up a sign declaring, “Jesus, My King.” I hope you can do the same.