By Denis Sheehan MIH
My overriding impression from the Coronation Bank Holiday weekend was how diversity enrichens our society, and what a positive message embracing it can provide to a worldwide audience.
To celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as king and queen of the United Kingdom Westminster Abbey opened its doors to people from every corner of the globe.
56 Commonwealth member countries took part, from Antigua and Barbuda to Zambia. In total 203 countries were represented according to Buckingham Palace. That equates to just about every country in the world, although what constitutes ‘every country in the world’ is an interesting debate.
The king’s clear commitment to diversity was on full display throughout his coronation as religious leaders representing the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh faiths for the first time took active roles in the coronation ceremonies.
King Charles’ commitment to diversity is well established, shortly after his mother’s passing, he told faith leaders at a Buckingham Palace reception that he was a “committed Anglican” but the sovereign had a “duty to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for faith itself and its practice through the religions, cultures, traditions, and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals.
“By my most profound convictions … I hold myself bound to respect those who follow other spiritual paths, as well as those who seek to live their lives in accordance with secular ideals.”
His coronation bore witness to his commitment. As well as welcoming global diversity and multiple faiths, the diversity of UK society was also celebrated. Liberal Democrat peer Floella Benjamin carried the sceptre with dove through the abbey joined by Dame Elizabeth Anionwu who carried the golden orb. A gospel choir were especially brought together for the ceremony and performed Alleluia, requested specifically by King Charles.
As television cameras broadcast the event live on Saturday and replayed parts over the rest of the extended weekend, for many watching the UK would seem to be welcoming to diversity. Unfortunately, we return today to the reality of a government that includes a Home Secretary that proclaims publicly seeing a flight take asylum seekers to Rwanda is her “dream” and “obsession”. A dream and obsession supported by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Back on your heads.