House of Lords peers of Indian heritage will play a key role in the solemn religious ceremony to mark the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6.
Rishi Sunak, a practicing Hindu, will also make history when he gives a reading from the biblical book of Colossians, in keeping with recent tradition of British Prime Ministers giving readings at State occasions – as the Head of the host nation’s government.
In a series of running order details being unveiled by Buckingham Palace as the historic occasion nears, it has emerged that the Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Jewish faiths will be symbolically represented to bring in a multi-faith resonance to the Christian ceremony in keeping with the monarch’s personal outlook.
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The ceremonial roles at the Abbey will include bearing the regalia in a procession and presenting the items to the King and Queen. Among those participating in this grand procession will include:
Lord Narendra Babubhai Patel, 84, representing the Hindu faith; he will hand over the Sovereign’s Ring to the King
Lord Indrajit Singh, 90, representing the Sikh faith; he will present the Coronation Glove to the King
Lord Syed Kamall, 56, of Indo-Guyanese heritage, representing the Muslim faith; he will present the Armills to the King
Baroness Gillian Merron, 64, representing the Jewish faith; she will carry the Robe Royal to the King
The palace has also revealed that the first processions into the Abbey will be made up of faith leaders and faith representatives followed shortly afterwards by representatives from His Majesty the King’s Realms. Flags of each Realm will be carried by national representatives accompanied by the Governors General and Prime Ministers and Bearing the flag of the United Kingdom ahead of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty will be Cadet Warrant Officer Elliott Tyson-Lee.
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The palace said that those undertaking these historic roles in the Coronation Service have been chosen to "recognise, thank and represent the nation due to their significant service, and include representatives from Orders of Chivalry, the military and wider public life".
Those presenting the regalia have been chosen on the advice of the UK government.
