May 8 2023 - Epic!

 

"Good evening Your Majesties.  Good evening Windsor!" That was quoted as William's introduction.  That seems a highlight of the Coronation.   Now that the weekend is over, what will the news focus on?  There are all kinds of articles on King Charles and Camilla being "star-crossed lovers."  That's what Bing had going today.    There are lalternate views - with The Guardian carrying the story "The people against King Charles." The royal website has this introduction for him:  "King Charles III, formerly known as The Prince of Wales".  Indeed, he was the longest-serving Prince of Wales.  The New Yorker article dated April 29, 2023 quotes Charles:  “Nobody knows what utter hell it is to be the Prince of Wales,” he has reportedly complained. That tradition continues with gossip that Harry spent his Coronation day complaining about his family - those lip readers were watching him.  And this New Yorker aspersion: "Until the birth of Prince William, in 1982, the world was just one helicopter accident or foxhunting tumble away from the prospect of King Andrew I." The New Yorker seems to have set a tone going forward.  There are many possibilities of irony, satire and sarcasm to come.  I wonder if the Royal Family's news popularity will start to wane now that Coronation Day is concluded and the ivory silk and gold outfits have gone to the archives.    A pair of beautiful tropical lady slipper orchids. Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblogspot.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwell.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

May 7 2023 - The Day After

 

What was yesterday's Coronation highlight? "Over 100 dogs, who share the same name as the UK’s new King, participated in a pup parade after the coronation on Saturday 6 May." "A timelapse video shared by the Associated Press showed pet owners walk their spaniels down the famous West London road, to commemorate the beginning of Charles’ reign.  The lap dog was reportedly named after King Charles II, who favoured the toy breed in the 17th century." Twitter has the highlights.  Look at them all!  Lots of great pictures of Cavaliers.   One quote says "They are the most cat-like of the dogs".   So here's a cat's retort to that.  This fence in Queenston says:  Be Aware of the Cat.   Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblogspot.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwell.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

May 6 2023 - Crowing Glory

 

Look at all that gold and creamy white in the ceremony that's on right now.  Gold on everyone.  What is the King wearing? “Supertunica,” a full-length gold coat. And that Crown!  And there's Camilla in the creamy white and gold too.  Everything looks so pristine and wonderful.  And then so glittery with all those jewels. The golden carpet and the red accents in the choir outfits.  Is this a "crowning glory" moment?  No - I find out that was a Biblical reference:  perhaps originally with an echo of 1 Corinthians 11:15, 'if a woman have long hair, it is a glory unto her. ' The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. "crowning glory ."   And the other meaning is - the most interesting or important thing someone has to offer.  How much does that crown weigh?   “Heavy is the head that wears the crown”  ― Wiiliam Shakespeare Likely in the 2 and a half pound range.   I don't think I've ever put anything on my head of this weight to find out the experience.  I bet it is a balancing act that needs practising. And the rest of the day? The play by play says: After Charles is officially crowned, the procession will depart the abbey and return to Buckingham Palace where there will be a salute from the guard and a balcony appearance with the King and his family at approximately 9:15 a.m. ET. Maybe our Maple Leaves are a good image for the celebration day. Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblogspot.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwell.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

Apr 13 2023 - There's a sacred part in the Coronation

 

Something that I hadn't thought about - that King Charles will be "anointed" with sacred oil during his Coronation ceremony. The headline is that he has chosen to maintain the privacy of the ancient ceremony "during the most solemn part of the Coronation on May 6".  The press report says that he made the decision to honour his relationship with God. Rituals from ancient times are curious today.  For example, Queen Elizabeth II had a cloth-of-gold that was held over her head for the anointing. No report so far on what the cloth will be for Charles. And when did the anointing tradition begin?  It is The Old Testament's anointing of Solomon.  He was chosen directly by God. So the British monarch was at one time considered divine and appointed directly by God.   The ritual involved seems so out of alignment with our current social traditions.  And perhaps because there are so few kings and queens being anointed we experience the great gap of traditions and activities.  Here's what the National Post writes: "When Charles is crowned by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, he will experience what is believed to be a sacramental encounter with God. It is one of the rarest Anglican rituals, and the only European monarchical coronation that retains the practice of “unction,” the anointing of a new monarch with holy oil to signify God’s grace." The oil - the Chrism oil has been consecrated by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem in March. The oil will be held in the Ampulla, the silver-gilt Coronation Spoon was first used in 1349, and has anointed every Monarch since King James I in 1603.  And what about the Crown?  With its controversial jewels being claimed by various countries.  And it has been estimated by financial analysts to be worth more than 5 billion pounds. How quaint: It has its own emoji!

Fruit trees were in full bloom in 2021 at this time.  And things were a week later last year, shown in the second picture.

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