SASKATCHEWAN - On May 6, at 4 a.m. Saskatchewan time, King Charles III will officially be crowned King of Canada, the most recent crowning of a monarch being in 1953. So, what can we expect here in Saskatchewan as the coronation of Canada’s first king in over 70 years draws nearer?
Upon the death of her late-majesty, the end of Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign brought with it a few changes, two notably being Queen’s Court Bench and the Queen’s Printer changing to King’s Court Bench and the King’s Printer.
The coronation itself will bring with it the similar 1953-esque religious service and ceremony at Westminster Abbey that marked Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
After The King and the Queen Consort Camilla arrive in a royal procession with other members of their family, the ceremony at Westminster Abbey conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury will set more concrete changes into motion.
After being anointed with holy oil and blessed, King Charles will don the Crown of St. Edward. He will sit in the Coronation Chair above the Stone of Scone that has sat beneath each monarch at the time of their coronation for centuries, he will become The King of the United Kingdom, Canada and other Commonwealth countries.
“...the service will reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future while being rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry,” said Buckingham Palace in a January press release.
But what will change in Saskatchewan after King Charles III is crowned during the coronation?
Now, you’re almost certainly bound to find a coin marked with Queen Elizabeth II’s face when you’re handed coins at the grocery store. After the coronation, and with a new King of Canada in place, Saskatchewan residents may find a new face adorns our pocket change. Though currently, nothing has come forth from the government that suggests we'll see a change soon.
New Canadians, MP’s, MLA’s, the military, and police officers now swear allegiance to The King. The Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Russ Mirasty, will now bring greetings from his majesty, The King, rather than the Queen. And obviously, God Save the Queen is no more.
The Bank of Canada released a shortlist for the Canadian five-dollar bill, but there has been no mention of the new monarch on our bills, which may suggest that the distinctive green $20 note with the King’s face is years away. That five-dollar bill may see Terry Fox, but The King? Maybe not quite yet.
And according to the line of succession, we’re not bound to see another queen for a long, long time. Not until the passing of King Charles III and his successors King William V, and King George VII (if they choose to reign under their given names) is it possible to see another queen. That is if King Charles' grandson has a daughter of his own.
At least now, women are to be included in the line of succession, which may, at least, give us again, another Queen of Canada.
