London: Non-Christian minority faiths and Celtic languages in the UK will play a significant role in the coronation of King Charles III. This is the first time they will get the limelight during a royal coronation.
Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jewish leaders will play prominent roles during the May 6 coronation service at Westminster Abbey, said a release by the office of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. At the end of the service, these religious leaders will deliver a greeting in unison to Charles declaring that "as neighbours in faith, we acknowledge the value of public service". They will say, "We unite with people of all faiths and beliefs in thanksgiving, and in service with you for the common good," reported AFP.
Members of the House of Lords from the minority faiths will also hand non-Christian regalia - like gold bracelets and royal robe - to the king.
UK's other native languages - Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and Irish Gaelic - will also play a role in the coronation service. A prayer will be sung in Welsh and verses of hymn will be sung in all three minority languages. Archbishop Welby said: "The coronation is first and foremost an act of Christian worship. At the same time, the service contains new elements that reflect the diversity of our contemporary society. I am delighted that the service will recognise and celebrate tradition, speaking to the great history of our nation, our customs, and those who came before us."
Charles was the first Prince of Wales in 70 years to learn Welsh, a language that has 5,40,000 speakers.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will give a reading from the Bible. Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf, the first Muslim to hold the post and to lead a Western European government, will also be in attendance.
The king will be taking an oath in English to serve as the "defender of the Protestant Faith". King Charles is a committed Christian but has a lifelong interest in other religions. He has been vocal about defending all faiths as Britain is growing more multicultural.
In September 2022, he said: "I have always thought of Britain as a 'community of communities'. That has led me to understand that the sovereign has an additional duty... to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for faith itself."