The Symbolism Behind The Screen Used In King Charles' Coronation

May 2024 ยท 2 minute read

Most notably, the screen that concealed King Charles III's sacred anointing ceremony featured a tree, patterned after the stained-glass Sanctuary Window in the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace. Each leaf on the tree is meant to symbolize all 56 nations in the British commonwealth, according to Daily Mail. At the bottom of the tree was the king's cypher. There was also the sun, roses, angels, doves, and a scroll with a quote from Julian of Norwich, a Medieval Christian writer. "All shall be well and all manner of things shall be well," it read.

All combined, it symbolized the new monarch's position as servant to the Commonwealth. Certain aspects of the screen's design and construction represent a more modern sensibility: it was made with biodegradable thread, and providing the frame was wood from a centuries-old windblown oak tree on the Windsor estate. Both are in keeping with King Charles III's interest in sustainability.

Aiden Hart of the Greek Orthodox Church designed the screen, and Nick Gutfreund led the team that built it. "The screen is there to provide privacy to the most sacred part of the ceremony," Gutfreund said (via Daily Mail). So what exactly goes on back there? In accordance with ancient practice, the Archbishop of Canterbury first poured holy oil on Charles' head. The archbishop then dipped two fingers in holy oil and anointed Charles on his head, chest, and hands. And why can't we see it? That's because it's sacred.

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