King finds idea of public paying homage during Coronation “abhorrent”, says broadcaster.
The public has been invited to swear allegiance to the King during his Coronation, a new addition to the ancient ceremony. However, Jonathan Dimbleby, a close friend of the King, has said that the King finds the idea of people paying homage to him “abhorrent”. The Archbishop of Canterbury has reiterated that the oath is voluntary and there is no pressure on the public to swear allegiance. The initiative was well-intentioned but ill-advised, according to Dimbleby, who believes it may have been a miscommunication as the King has never wanted to be revered. Campaign group Republic called the idea “nonsense” and “offensive”. The order of service for the Coronation includes an invitation to “all persons of goodwill” to make their homage to the King by swearing true allegiance to him and his successors according to law.
