King Charles III takes coronation oath at Westminster Abbey

CNN
By CNN May 06, 2023 01:46 (EAT)
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King Charles III takes coronation oath at Westminster Abbey
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King Charles III's coronation service is underway at Westminster Abbey in London. 

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby read a sermon, bringing the second part of the ceremony to an end.

"We are here to crown a King, and the King is crowned to serve," he said at the start of the sermon.

He honored many of those in attendance for their charity, community and military work, and singled out 400 "extraordinary young people" who have been selected to watch from nearby St. Margaret’s Church.

Earlier, Sarah Mullally, Dean of His Majesty’s Chapels Royal, read the Gospel.

The reading is bookended by a two-part composition by the prolific British composer Debbie Wiseman – best-known for her TV and film work – called "Alleluia (O Clap your Hands)" and "Alleluia (O Sing Praises)."

The second part of the work is sung by the Ascension Choir, and it's another first – the first time that a gospel choir has sung at a coronation.

Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, conducted a reading from the Bible from the Epistle to the Colossians.

Earlier, King Charles read a prayer out loud, becoming the first monarch to do so at a coronation.

It was followed by the Gloria from the Mass for Four Voices by the Renaissance composer William Byrd.

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