News Americas, LONDON, England, Sat. May 6, 2023: Four members of Britain’s Caribbean Diaspora today played key roles in the coronation of King Charles, III as several Caribbean leaders sat in the audience inside Westminster Abbey.
Guyana born Baroness, Valerie Amos, who was inducted into the Order of the Garter in the year 2022, participated in the Recognition ceremony at the start of the coronation. The Recognition followed an ancient element of the Coronation Service, in which The King is recognised as the true Monarch. His Majesty turned to each of the four points of the compass to be recognised; to the East, by the Archbishop of Canterbury; to the South, by Lady Eilish Angiolini, a Lady of the Order of the Thistle; to the West, by Christopher Finney, a holder of the George Cross, and to the North, by Baroness Amos.
“I here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King: Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?,” she asked the King. All responded: “God save King Charles.”
Baroness Floella Benjamin who was born in Trinidad and Tobago and is a former children’s television host turned author and peer, wielded King Charles’s scepter, also referred to as the Rod of Equity and Mercy, which symbolizes his spiritual function.
Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, presented the Queen Camilla with The Queen’s Sceptre with Cross and The Queen’s Rod with Dove.
Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin presenting Queen Camilla with The Queen’s Sceptre with Cross and The Queen’s Rod with Dove. (Screen Grab)
And Jamaican roots British Baritone singer and composer, Roderick Williams, OBE, sang Walford-Davies: ‘Confortare,’ in a spectacular arrangement John Rutter. He was one of the composers personally chosen by King Charles III to pen one of the twelve new pieces for his Westminster Abbey coronation.
Jamaican roots British Baritone singer and composer, Roderick Williams performing on May 6, 2023. (Screen grab)
Several Caribbean leaders were among the attendees at today’s coronation of King Charles, III that also saw participation from the military personnel from across the Caribbean Commonwealth and British overseas territories.
