Accidentally started watching the pre-Coronation about an hour ago, 11-ish California time

[Hekate]

Well, hubby was setting up to record it so I could watch a bit tomorrow… but we both got sucked in. Good old PBS: The commentator is an intelligent woman.

Two observations: a number of people are being interviewed who knew King Charles from his various charities and causes that he personally set up and worked in a hands-on way from a young age. Diving into some district devastated by riots during every politician’s summer vacation, — and as the black man from the area said (now a politician and a Right Honorable) — the Prince kept coming back, again and again and again. Others, when they finally showed up, came once. Lot of things like that, including a wide range of people from the arts. I was a bit surprised how very much these people felt very warmly toward him.

Second observation: as I noticed quite awhile ago, the UK has a lot of diversity that it has drawn from the former Empire. Politicians, professors of this and that, all kinds of people of color have made good there. While the dignified brown woman from Scotland was speaking (a politician — elected to their parliament?) to the interviewer, I thought to myself that it was just a damn shame that the Family couldn’t find it in their hearts to fully embrace Meghan Markle and actually protect her from the tabloids. She would have added so much to their image.

It’s only 1:00 am our time, but we’ll have to turn off the tv soonish because we actually have to be someplace tomorrow at 9:00 am.

Just my rambling.

[denbot]

1. The wife and I just tuned in and got about 20 minutes till about now of nothing.

Just fancy people being proper.

[canetoad]

2. My sister called a little while ago

She was settling down in Queensland with dinner and a joint and the coronation on TV.

I have the BBC stream on YouTube playing, right now some very beautiful music from a choir and small string ensemble from, I presume Westminster Abbey.

Only a little after 6pm Saturday here.

[Hekate]

3. Enjoy!

Love the music — can I have it on CD please?

[calimary]

4. I've been watching since about 1am.

Husband dozed off. But I think I’m in it to win it!

So looking forward to the good stuff ahead!

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

6. the golden Sceptre!

[claudette]

5. Imagine how

much more beautiful it would be if Diana were now the Queen. So sad

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

9. she would have been a kick ass queen.

[iluvtennis]

12. +++ agree. n/t

[AZ8theist]

7. Could this family come up with any MORE RIDICULOUS costumes??

I find the British royals an amusing story, but so glad we in America got rid of this bullshit 247 years ago.

Funniest statement yet:

"73 year old unemployed man finally finds a job!" LOL

[eShirl]

8. those robes look like they weigh a ton

[AZ8theist]

11. they needed something to soak up the wet sidewalk..

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

10. it's getting real now. Kate showed up dressed as a Princess-next in line to be Queen

[CanonRay]

13. Watching live on BBC in London.

We were in Trafalgar Square two guys ago and had a pint in a pub the royal coach passes on Whitehall Street. We're avoiding the crowds.

[Hekate]

14. Very interesting rituals. He promises at least twice "not to be served but to serve"...

Comes across as sincerely humble in that regard.

Promises also that he is a Protestant Christian and will uphold the Protestant Church in England (which was established by King Henry VIII in his break from Rome) while also upholding the free rights of every other creed and religion in the realm. Those various religions were well represented in the cathedral. Very Constitutional, other words.

Passages from the Bible regarding Jesus coming to serve.

A beautiful Alleluia created for this occasion in Gospel music style and sung by a Black choir. A first.

The homily by the archbishop about how Jesus came to serve. Notes that hundreds of the guests present literally serve others by the groups they belong to.

Lots of fancy regalia and treasures brought out of closets and vaults for the occasion.

This, too, is ritual. I note this because I myself have created rituals and have participated in those created by others — in another tradition entirely, and of course on an infinitely smaller scale. But I respect the art, when well and sincerely done.

Now the anointing with holy oil.

These are not the rituals of my country, but I find nothing abhorrent in them. They are straightforward in their religious intent and promises of freedom for others — unlike our homegrown Evangelicals, who are theocrats who promise only suppression for all those who disagree with them. We are much more in danger from our fellow Americans that we ever are or will be from King Charles and the Anglican Church.

I just barely remember the Coronation of his mother. My parents watched it on a black and white tv, and I sat on the living room rug while they sat on the couch. I was 5 years old.

Best of luck King Charles.

[leftyladyfrommo]

15. I love the horses. nt

[Hekate]

16. The horses are great -- and so many of them

[leftyladyfrommo]

17. I know. They must have a huge stable.

Queen Elizabeth had a stable of horses.

Britons have had a really hard year. Maybe all this ancient ritual will take minds off troubles for a while.

[spinbaby]

18. It's a spectacle

But a weirdly boring spectacle.