‘King Charles III is ready to serve us’
KING CHARLES III is ready to serve his people, including all islanders, at a time of great expectation, the Dean of Guernsey has said.
The Very Rev. Tim Barker spoke at a service at the Town Church, a celebration in word and music of the Coronation and its significance for the Bailiwick, which coincided with similar celebrations being held in cathedrals in England.
‘After the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, spanning the lifetime of so many people, the weight of expectation on King Charles III is huge,’ said the Dean.
‘He cannot be unaware of that.
‘One of the telling moments for me in the Coronation service, which many of us will have seen on television, was the moment when the Archbishop of Canterbury placed St Edward’s crown on His Majesty’s head.
‘That crown, worn by the monarch only during the central part of the Coronation rite, is physically heavy. That physical weight is a reminder of the weight and burden of office, and of the expectations of so many people in the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies, the British Overseas Territories, and the nations of the Commonwealth.’
Mr Barker said that the King had assumed the ‘burden of kingship’ at an age when many people are comfortably settled into retirement. But he had used his years as Prince of Wales creatively, founding the Prince’s Trust, encouraging music and art, his interest and trenchant views on Britain’s built heritage, and his environmental interests, ahead of their time.
‘If King Charles was conscious of the weight of responsibility, we have the confidence that he takes on that burden, equipped by God to be strong and courageous,’ he said.
Mr Barker said that the theme of service ran through the Coronation.
‘There were strong echoes of Jesus’ statement about himself, that he came “not to be served but to serve”,’ he said.
The Dean said that the ‘seamless transition’ from a beloved Queen to a King had showed that the role of the Prince of Wales was very different to the head of state.
‘Over the past eight months, we have seen that King Charles III is no longer Charles, Prince of Wales.
‘We are already observing a King who is, despite his undoubted privilege, willing to serve his people for the rest of his life, and to do so with strength and courage. May he continue to do that, inspired and filled with the grace of God.’
‘Our voice must be heard, loud and clear’ page 3
