Beyond Belief

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Religion & Ethics

Series exploring the place and nature of faith in today's world

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Beyond Belief: The Coronation

The Coronation

BBC Radio 4 - Beyond Belief, The Coronation

Aleem Maqbool speaks to Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby about the coronation.

Aleem Maqbool speaks to The Most Reverend Justin Welby about the religious significance of the coronation and what this ancient ceremony says about modern Britain.

On 6th May 2023, King Charles III will be crowned in Westminster Abbey in an ancient ceremony that dates back a thousand years.

The Coronation service is, at its heart, a religious event in which King Charles swears an oath to uphold “the Protestant Reformed Religion Established by Law” and is anointed with holy oil by The Archbishop of Canterbury.

But is this religious service representative of modern Britain? What does it say about who we are today? And will it speak to people of all faiths and none?

Aleem Maqbool speaks to The Most Reverend Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, about the meaning of the rituals and symbolism of this national event. His reflections lead to a discussion on the role of The Coronation in our modern world.

Aleem is joined by Professor Ian Bradley, author of God Save the King and Emeritus Professor of Cultural and Spiritual History at the University of St Andrews, Chief Executive of "Republic" Graham Smith and Sejal Sehmi, U.K. Editor for Brown Girl Magazine.


Producer: Katharine Longworth
Assistant Producer: Linda Wood

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