Will You Pledge Allegiance?

The Pledging Of Allegiance caused a lot of controversy, but like many things, it proved a storm in a teacup.

I bet many viewers of the Coronation were hardly aware of it actually taking place on the day, there was no need for all the angst about it beforehand.

You either joined in or you didn’t, up to each individual.

vegansrock

Apparently we are all supposed to stand up in front of our tellys and pledge allegiance to the King saying stuff like “ May the King live forever”
Will you me doing it? Me neither, I’ll be in the garden hopefully.
What does “pledge allegiance” even mean in the 21st century? Before royalist pile in, yes I do know it has its roots a few hundred years ago, and it’s taken from a Handel anthem , but , honestly , that’s no excuse is it? We’re not in the Brownies fgs.

No and I can't understand why anyone would pledge anything to the descendent of our famous Invader (murdered Harold) of 1066. I suppose Charlie is nice chap but royalty is so outdated and the coronation has cost millions. I hope it fades but in about 20-25 years it will all have to be done again. Wills should be the last king

Fleurpepper

HettyBetty ''Wyllow3 I couldn't agree more. My beliefs are not going to be represented at the coronation, it appears it only applies to Christians with a small contribution from a handful of other religions.''

not Christians, just one denomination, the Church of England.

I remember so many years ago Charles saying he would not accept to be the Head of the CofE, as he wanted to be inclusive all all in the Country (-ies) - other Christian denominations and other Faiths (sadly not non religious British people who represent a huge proportion these days). I was really pleased and hopeful about that.

I think the process of separating Church from State would be a long process, FleurPepper, involving complicated legislation and an Act of Parliament.
It's not something that could have been achieved between accession and coronation even if Charles wished it.

Being Defender of Faith or Faiths surely does not mean one would not defend a person's right not to believe.

As veterans of the British Army, my husband and I will both participate - it was the oath we took at the start of our service lives and nothing has changed except our age1!

Perhaps Lambeth Palace will offer an explanation? Maybe it will be quietly dropped?

You are not alone in thinking this

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65493188

Jonathon Dimbleby writes it is not something the King himself would naturally want, to be "Revered" and "paid homage too"

Its gross.

Everyone should have the right to protest, as long as it’s not violent.
It’s true.
Sadly, whatever the protest, there is usually violence. The protestors have the right to protest about what they feel is wrong. Those who think that protest is wrong, also have the right to protest. Each group thinks the other is wrong, and an element of protestors, use violence to protest about what they see as wrong.

HettyBetty ''Wyllow3 I couldn't agree more. My beliefs are not going to be represented at the coronation, it appears it only applies to Christians with a small contribution from a handful of other religions.''

not Christians, just one denomination, the Church of England.

I remember so many years ago Charles saying he would not accept to be the Head of the CofE, as he wanted to be inclusive all all in the Country (-ies) - other Christian denominations and other Faiths (sadly not non religious British people who represent a huge proportion these days). I was really pleased and hopeful about that.

No, I certainly won't be pledging allegiance because I feel none. It has apparently been "suggested" rather than "instructed" but those people who feel allegiance do not need such suggestions. They are perfectly capable of deciding that for themselves.

Aveline

Yes. It's very sad that people actually make plans to spoil things for others. Even worse, of course, if they're planning dangerous terrorist style attacks. I really hope all goes well on the day.

Everyone should have the right to protest, as long as its not violent.

Wyllow3 I'm not sure why, in these days of technology, all the Big Important People need to be there. DH "attended" a funeral by video link recently, the same sort of thing could be set up for this. Much less of a carbon footprint for the environmentally conscious Mr Windsor.

If the event were low key such as HettyBetty suggests the protesters would not be there. Nor any attraction for terrorists if Big Important People from over the world were not there.

Hence not the need for the police or the millions better spent elsewhere.

Hence the release of money for people who actually need it.

I think the quiet dignity of a small event is as meaningful as what is due to happen. More, really, it show humility and a true desire to serve not parade.

Wyllow3 I couldn't agree more. My beliefs are not going to be represented at the coronation, it appears it only applies to Christians with a small contribution from a handful of other religions. I do not see atheism, Humanism, or indeed the beliefs of groups such as pagans and druids represented.

It is time to make the whole thing secular, if we must have a monarchy at all. The coronation is only a fancy way of agreeing that Charles Windsor believes the Christian god gives him the right to rule over us. Without a religious element there would be no need for an expensive coronation. A quick civic swearing in or similar would be ample fuss. It could perhaps be live streamed if anyone was interested.

Nope, what a waste of money , Especially when so many people are struggling to pay their hearing bills etc

Talking to someone today who comes from a country which has a low key royal family, he said he was astounded by the coronation. Ostentatious was the way he described it. Apparently in his country a monarch dies, his or her successor simply becomes the next one and they all quietly carry on.

Vintagenonna
Optional' seems reasoanable.
For the Canadians maybe, but some here don’t think so.

Vintagenonna

CocoPops raises an interesting point. However, as of December last year Quebec took a definite move in the other direction :

"The Canadian province of Quebec has passed a law making an oath of allegiance to the monarch optional for members of the legislature.

The bill was introduced after the ascension of King Charles III, when three politicians refused to swear allegiance."

'Optional' seems reasoanable.

They've always thought of themselves as a French colony so fair enough.

The rest of the world will certainly be watching. Knickers will be present and correct throughout.

So the rest of the world is going to be super impressed by this over the top circus we are about to pay out over 250 million pounds for. Money we haven't got. Surely a case of "All fur coat and no nickers"

I agree Aveline and can you imagine if heaven forbid, there was a serious incident and there wasn't a sufficient police presence to prevent or deal with it?

CocoPops raises an interesting point. However, as of December last year Quebec took a definite move in the other direction :

"The Canadian province of Quebec has passed a law making an oath of allegiance to the monarch optional for members of the legislature.

The bill was introduced after the ascension of King Charles III, when three politicians refused to swear allegiance."

'Optional' seems reasoanable.

Yes. It's very sad that people actually make plans to spoil things for others. Even worse, of course, if they're planning dangerous terrorist style attacks. I really hope all goes well on the day.

Wyllow3

Just listened to a news report of the security details for the day - hundreds of police - frankly needed else where. I'm increasingly feeling there is something very wrong with all this and the money spent on it need so badly elsewhere (as are the police).
I agree about the money, and about the need for police elsewhere. Don’t you also find it appalling that some people are actually planning to cause the problems and disruptions that give rise to the need for this security.

Congratulations Disco60. Hope you have a great day!

It’s my 70th birthday so I will be celebrating that with all my family