King Charles and Queen Camilla have entered the Abbey to the strains of “I was glad,” the stirring coronation anthem written by Hubert Parry for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 and sung at all coronations since then.
The choral music for today’s ceremony is performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey, augmented by the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St. James’ Palace; choristers from Methodist College, Belfast; the Choir of Truro Cathedral and an octet from the Monteverdi Choir.
Parry incorporated a set of “vivats” – traditional Latin acclamations for the new monarch – into his piece, which must be rewritten for each coronation.
Today we hear the King’s Scholars of the prestigious Westminster School in London, singing Vivat Regina Camilla! Vivat Rex Carolus! (Long live Queen Camilla! Long live King Charles!).