Across Canada, people are celebrating the coronation of King Charles III this weekend, the first coronation in seven decades, with watch parties, commemorative pins and public events.
The King was crowned in a lavish ceremony attended by world leaders in historic Westminster Abbey early Saturday morning. His wife, Camilla, was crowned queen consort.
And despite the early hour for the Canadians, royal fans were not deterred from gathering in celebration.
In Victoria, British Columbia, the 144-year-old Union Club hosted around 30 people gathered in the stately reading room of the Georgian Revival brick building, making themselves comfortable on leather sofas green and watching the ceremony on the big screen. Canadian flags, Union Jacks were displayed throughout the venue and coffee, tea and breakfast were available.
Donna Otto said she wanted to be part of history even if it meant being up when most Canadians were asleep.
“As this happens, it’s story time,” she said. “It’s that moment and it’s fine with me.”
Otto said that despite King Charles’ age, he has for years embraced modern ideas, including environmentalism, heritage preservation and gardening.
“He did things that weren’t always recognized.”
Britain’s King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, leave Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach for their coronation ceremony in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek).
Otto’s husband, David Spence, said the coronation of King Charles made him look to the future.
“It recognizes where we’ve come from and the possibilities where we’re going,” said Spence, who is president of the Royal Commonwealth Society of Victoria region. “The energy and wisdom that is part of it all.”
Otto said she also celebrated the coronation by dressing up for the occasion, wearing a royal blue dress and a fascinator.
“Having a reason to dress up a little is really fun to do,” she said. “I think that’s part of it, and of course the tradition of the English fascinator.”
Nancy Unsworth and her family, who live in the Edmonton area, plan to get up early to watch.
“We packed our snacks, we got hats, and we set our alarms,” she said, adding that she collects hats.
“You need something with a good feather and a good frill on it. A little drama is always good.
Unsworth, whose grandmother was born in England, said she looks forward to “the pomp and circumstance”. As for the reign of the king, she is interested in the way in which he will approach environmental problems and discussions around colonialism.
The Canadian government holds an official coronation ceremony in Ottawa, with performances, speeches, the unveiling of a new stamp and crests, and a 21-gun salute.
Karim Al-Dadah, Quebec spokesperson for the Monarchist League of Canada, plans to attend the coronation service before driving two and a half hours to Ottawa to watch the ceremony.
“I am a monarchist. It’s something I believe in,” he said. “I am also a patriot. I love my country, I am proud of my country, Canada, and for me, loving your country also means loving its history, its institutions, its heritage.
Al-Dadah met King Charles and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, in Ottawa during their three-day royal visit to Canada last May to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. They also visited St. John’s, NL. and Yellowknife.
“The excitement…it was palpable,” he said. “That’s the beauty of the monarchy – there’s this energy, this joy that it brings to people.”
Al-Dadah said he also looked forward to the lavish traditions of the coronation service.
“It’s going to be a feast for the eyes,” he said. “It’s a dream come true. It’s something that only happens once or twice in a lifetime. »
Public and private events have been planned elsewhere in Canada, from afternoon teas to parades. Many government buildings will be illuminated in emerald green throughout the weekend as coronation flags are raised.
The Ontario government hosted a flag-raising ceremony, 21-gun salute and drum circle followed by a “royal fun fair” at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
In Regina, the Saskatchewan government held a parade Friday, while an event hosted by the Lt. Governor. Russ Mirasty is scheduled for May 13.
A celebration is also planned in Alberta on May 13 at the University of Alberta Botanical Garden in Parkland County, while a spring tea at Government House in Edmonton with the lieutenant governor. Salma Lakhani on May 14 sold.
In Winnipeg, a provincial coronation service will be held at St. John’s Cathedral, followed by a gun salute on the grounds of the provincial legislative building.
Celebrations are also taking place on the grounds of Government House in Charlottetown, Fredericton, Halifax and St. John’s, including the distribution of 1,000 seedlings and plans to distribute more in Newfoundland to Labrador.
In Whitehorse, Territorial Commissioner Angelique Bernard invited members of the public to tea and an open house at Taylor House.
Not all Canadians plan to celebrate the coronation.
An Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News indicates that King Charles failed to win the hearts of many Canadians during his short reign. Ipsos, which polled 1,000 Canadians aged 18 and over between April 19 and 20, found that the monarchy as a whole had fallen out of favor since the Queen’s death.
Compared to data compiled in September, King Charles, 74,’s approval rating fell seven points to 37 per cent, while Queen Consort Camilla’s fell one point to 26 per cent.
William and Kate, whose approval ratings sit at 52 and 47 percent respectively, are down 14 points from last September. William is the only member of the monarchy to hold a positive majority of those in favor among Canadians six months after Charles ascended the throne. Favor for the Prince and Princess of Wales is highest among university graduates, Ipsos found.
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