King Charles’ coronation to be a momentous occasion: Andrew Dalgleish
Celina Ali
Islamabad: Acting British High Commissioner to Pakistan Andrew Dalgleish believes King Charles’ coronation at the weekend will be a momentous occasion.
The British Crown, according to Acting British High Commissioner, is a representation of the country’s unity.
“I believe it will also be a happy occasion. Since her late Majesty, the Queen, had a record-breaking long reign, it’s quite exciting that this is the first one in 70 years. Prince Charles was destined to become our next King. He has had to be quite patient. That time has arrived. But even though it has been 70 years since our last coronation, we have been holding them in West Minster Abbey in my nation whenever a new King or queen is crowned,” he said in an interview.
According to Andrew Dalgleish, the Church of England’s spiritual leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has performed the rite in the UK for the past 900 years.
“There’s this interesting blending of an ancient tradition with what I believe you’ll see on Saturday (May 6), which will be much more contemporary features introduced by a King who is and has been for a very long time focused very much on the future. Long before President Trump, King Charles discussed climate change.
King Charles, Andrew Dalgleish said, is the King or Head of State of 14 countries, including Canada and Australia, in addition to being the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. “The overseas territories that we have, like Gibraltar, and the Crown dependencies, like Jersey and the Isle of Man, where he’s the head there,” he added. Andrew Dalgleish expressed his happiness that Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister, will attend the coronation ceremony.
About the British monarchy, he said: “Our constitution is a rather unique thing, but I think people do feel that their democratic processes are being protected very well by our system of parliament, but that we have this traditional thing that thick or thin, the rain or shine, good or bad, you have the monarch else now that you can look to as a source of continuity through change.” The best markers of public support for the royal family, according to the envoy, are significant events in the family’s life and how the public responds to them.
“We observed that the public’s reaction was extraordinarily positive when we celebrated the late Queen’s Jubilee at the beginning of last year. There was a nice sensation present, along with thanks and perhaps even some fondness for the service she rendered. The majority of people in my nation have no memory of what it was like to live without Queen Elizabeth as your head of state. She offered unity and continuity. I’m not sure how many different American presidents she has met,” he said.
He announced that the British High Commission will throw a magnificent banquet to mark the coronation as well. He stated that in addition to the festivities, it will work to strengthen ties between the citizens of the two nations.
When asked about the Commonwealth Year being celebrated this year, he said Commonwealth is becoming more and more important. “It’s also a world where we choose to be different, sometimes in very natural and good ways. They share common values of democracy, a belief in the rule of law, a belief in investing in the future, and addressing common problems. They are united in a way that gives him the feeling that a third of the world’s population belongs to his one family,” he said.
He stressed that 1.5 billion people in the Commonwealth are under the age of 30. “There are countless opportunities for nations like Pakistan and the UK to take advantage of this natural sense of brotherhood, where they must create initiatives, collaborate, do things together and see each other as direct friends.”
Andrew Dalgleish said there is an equal partnership in the Commonwealth. “King Charles is Head of Commonwealth, but we all think very strongly of it as an equal partnership, or a partnership of equals. It gives us many opportunities to do more together for the prosperity and stability of the planet’s future,” he maintained.
On the importance of the Commonwealth to Pakistan, he said the meetings, where British ministers sit alongside Pakistani ministers and other Commonwealth members, are an opportunity to move things forward. “Without the Commonwealth, these meetings would not have taken place in this format. This year is the Commonwealth Youth Year, so you will see 13 different initiatives open to all young Pakistanis,” he mentioned.
He added: “You have access to all 13 of these activities that help you network, launch new initiatives, be it entrepreneurship, sports, music or anything that brings people together on the Commonwealth platform.”
Andrew Dalgleish further said: “Young Pakistanis who wish to study may go through various programs, but one of the important ones is Commonwealth. It’s really relevant.”