Questions about monarchy as King Charles III is crowned

Dar es Salaam. Political leaders and experts in diplomacy varied yesterday on the relevance of monarchy as UK King Charles III was crowned to officially undertake new tasks.

They spoke out after news broke that UK police had arrested key members of an anti-monarchy group planning a protest along the path of King Charles III’s coronation procession.

“They’ve arrested six of our organisers and seized hundreds of placards; they won’t tell us why they’ve arrested them or where they’re being held,” a Republic activist said in London yesterday.

Republic chief executive Graham Smith was one of those arrested before the group had a chance to wave placards declaring, “Not My King.”

However, speaking to The Citizen yesterday, political and diplomacy experts differed in opinion, with some of them saying the monarchy was a historical sign of prestige while others believed the system was outdated.

A lecturer at the University of Dodoma (Udom), Dr Paul Loisulie, said monarchy was a historical symbol of prestige harboured by the UK.

He said issues of democracy and good governance are being observed by the government, and accountability has led to the resignation of several Prime Ministers.

“For the sake of protecting the country and the world’s history, there is no problem with the existence of the system in the UK,” he said over the phone.

“The King has no role in the UK government. Probably some people could be jealous over the reasons for one family enjoying the best of the land,” he added.

Dr Loisulie was seconded by his University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) counterpart, Prof Bakari Mohamed, who said the UK monarchy was related to the country’s historical background.

He said struggles that started in the 11th century are now dividing citizens, noting that people who prefer the system are those with political powers.

According to him, transformations should introduce conditions that ensure those assuming power have pre-requisite and acceptable qualifications.

“The system has some challenges in different areas, including accountability. Internal struggles should stimulate changes in the system,” he said.

Furthermore, the UDSM don said it is difficult for global struggles to bring about the changes because monarchies are historical systems that are part of tradition in practised countries.

However, Prof Watengere Kitojo of the Tanzania Centre for Diplomacy (TCD) said a comprehensive debate was required on the system due to the global shift and advocacy for democracy and human rights.

“The system is completely outdated because it allows leaders to assume roles through inheritance in the clan instead of elections,” he said.

“People lacking leadership powers and abilities could be crowned just because there are rights bestowed on them,” he added.

He said the system contravenes today’s demands for the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

According to him, in today’s world, people should assume leadership roles based on their merits instead of birth privileges, calling the decision outdated and being harboured by developed countries.

“It is actually a shame upon them for harbouring a meaningless system, despite their role in promoting democracy and human rights,” he said in a phone interview.

According to him, despite considering the monarchy a figurative status, those assuming such positions get national respect in their respective countries.

However, he said there were positive signs of change ahead due to an increasing number of people who consider the system unsuitable.

Yesterday, the UK High Commission to Tanzania said the coronation was an historic event for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, illustrating and reflecting King Charles III’s constitutional position as Head of State of the UK, the 14 Realms, the UK Overseas Territories, and the Crown Dependencies, and his position as Head of the Commonwealth.

“The event shows how the monarchy can inspire by giving expression to traditions and history in the context of both a modern, diverse, multi-faith United Kingdom and a Commonwealth that is an expanding alliance united behind values of democracy, human rights and sovereignty,” reads part of response through email.

“In an increasingly geopolitical world, where sovereignty is being challenged, the Commonwealth is an important network of prospering free nations,” according to another part of the response.

Charles III crowned

However, Charles III finally met his destiny after a lifetime as the heir to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as he was officially crowned king in the first coronation in Britain since 1953.

At 12:02 pm exactly (1102 GMT), the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby placed the solid gold St

Edward’s crown on Charles’s head as a sacred and ancient symbol of the monarch’s authority.

Cries of “God Save the King” rang out from the 2,300-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey and trumpet fanfares sounded at the climax of the solemn religious confirmation of his accession.

Outside, ceremonial gun salutes blasted out across land and sea while bells pealed in celebration at churches across the country.

The build-up to the Christian ceremony of prayer and praise, steeped in 1,000 years of British history and tradition, with sumptuous robes and priceless regalia, has been mostly celebratory.

But even before Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, left Buckingham Palace for a rainy procession to the abbey, police arrested dozens of protesters using new powers rushed onto the statute book to crack down on direct action groups.

Being the first coronation in 70 years, it was the first of a king since 1937. It was only the second to be televised and the first in colour and streamed online.

Changes

Much of the two-hour Anglican service, in which Charles pledged “I come not to be served but to serve”, would have been recognisable to the 39 other monarchs crowned at Westminster Abbey since 1066.

But while many of the intricate rituals and ceremonies to recognise Charles as his people’s “undoubted king” remained, the king sought to bring other aspects of the service up to date.

Women bishops participated for the first time, as did leaders of Britain’s non-Christian faiths, while its Celtic languages—Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic—featured prominently.

A gospel choir sang for the first time at a coronation while a Greek choir intoned a psalm in tribute to Charles’s late father, Prince Philip, who was born on the island of Corfu.

As king, Charles is supreme governor of the Church of England and has described himself as a “committed Anglican Christian.”

But he heads a more religiously and ethnically diverse country than the one his mother inherited in the shadow of World War II.

As such, he sought to make the congregation more reflective of British society by inviting ordinary members of the public to sit alongside heads of state and global royalty.

In another change, the coronation themes mirrored his lifelong interest in biodiversity and sustainability.

Seasonal flowers and foliage were brought, from the wind-battered Isle of Skye in northwest Scotland to Cornwall at the tip of England’s southwest coast to fill the abbey.

Ceremonial vestments from previous coronations were reused, and the anointing oil, created from olives in groves on the Mount of Olives and perfumed with essential oils, was vegan.

Charles was anointed out of sight of the congregation behind a three-sided screen in front of the High Altar to the strains of Handel’s soaring anthem “Zadok the Priest,” sung at every coronation since 1727.

Opposition

Rishi Sunak -- Britain’s first prime minister of colour, who gave a reading from the Bible at the service, has described the coronation as “a proud expression of our history, culture and traditions”.

But not everyone is convinced; polling indicates waning support for the monarchy, particularly among younger people.

Charles’s eldest brother, Prince Andrew, who was sidelined due to his friendship with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, was booed as he headed to the abbey.

Another royal exile, Prince Harry, who has criticised the family since leaving for the United States in 2020, attended the coronation on his own.

Overseas, Charles’s position as the hereditary monarch and head of state of 14 Commonwealth countries looks increasingly fragile. Jamaica and Belize both signalled this week that they are moving towards becoming republics, while Australia, Canada and others may eventually follow suit.

Britons struggling with the soaring cost of living have meanwhile questioned why taxpayers should stump up for the coronation, with the bill estimated to be over £100 million ($126 million).