The Imperial Coronation Part 2 (The Ceremony)

Part 2

The Coronation Ceremony

After the Emperor took his place at the Throne the actual ceremony was officially about to begin. 

The Emperor positioned himself before the Throne and after another fanfare was announced by the State Herald as His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Chritian-Victor of the United Empire and King of the Scots and Britanians. 

The Mithradir presided over the Prayer of Blessing for the Nation of Scotney and the Nation of Britania. This was followed by the hymn "Amazing Grace". The Coronation Liturgy also includes a reading and revelationary teaching from the Scripture.

The Mithrandir then proceed down from the Pulpit of the Lion's Voice to consecrate the Coronation Regalia in the presence of the Royal assembly. 

After the consecration prayer, the St. Christian's Crown is brought to the Throne and placed on a pedestal next to it. The Emperor then received a direct prophetic prayer and blessing from the Mithrandir which was vocally affirmed by the congregation shouting: "...on earth as it is in heaven..." 

The Crown is raised by His Holiness...

...and the Emperor is crowned King of the Scots and King of the Britanians by the will of God. The congregation voice their acclaim: "...God save the King, long live the King..." three times. A 24 gun salute is fired from Imperial Park outside the cathedral as crowds audibly cheer. 

The Empress then proceeds down to the Holy Altar and curtseys to the Mithrandir. 

The First Princess, Princess Augusta then present the Consort Crown of Scotney and Britania. 

It is acknowledged by the Empress who touches it. She is then acclaimed by the congregation " ...Long live the Queen...". The wife of the King ( as the will of God) receives her queenly dignity through marriage and is thus not crowned. 

A Duke of Swann traditionally receives his Chain of Office from the King of the Scots upon his ascension to the throne however our current Duke did not have the opportunity as the Kingdom of the Scots was disbanded at the time. As part of this coronation ceremony the Duke of Swann was afforded this belated traditional honour. 

The Emperor offered the chain with the words: "To our most Royal and Noble cousin we acknowledge and affirm the rulership and friendship to and from the Principality of Swann." 

The congregation then affirms His Royal Highness with an applause. 

The Duke of Swann recedes from the throne taking three steps back and returns to his position in the cathedral. This brings us to the next part of the ceremony. A short 15 minute interval allows everybody a break while the Emperor, Empress and attendants retire to the small Imperial Chapel behind the Throne. 

The Imperial Couple reappear and are ceremonially disrobed in the presence of the reassemble congregation. The Emperor, as King of the Scots and Britanians is assisted by Blue Cardinal in the process of removing his Red Robe. 

The Emperor will also swap his Royal Chain of Office for the Imperial equivalent. 

Empress Odeliah is assisted by Princess Kirsten in her disrobing. 

The Imperial Couple then don the Imperial Blue Robes of State before the Holy Altar. Empress Odeliah also swaps all her jewellery of Royal Scotney and Britanian association for an Imperial Tiara, Necklace, Earrings and Brooch.

The Mithrandir ascends the pulpit to declare a blessing and the will of the people to submit to an Elected Holy Emperor. 

The Emperor is presented in turn with the Sword of State, the Imperial Sceptre and Orb of Dominion. Each is accompanied by a vow and a consecrating prayer.

After which the Emperor returns to the Throne and is joined by Empress Odeliah. At this point the congregation cheers: "...Long live the Emperor..."

As the Emperor holds his dignity by election, he is not crowned but " bears the crown" in the humility of equality with the peoples of Europa. 

However, the Empress holds her dignity as Empress by the will of her husband, who then crowns her as such to the acclaim of the congregation who voice their affirmation of the Emperor's will with three cheers of: " Hurrah!".

The Empress then promises her faithful alliegence, first to her husband and then to her Emperor.

The Crown of Empress Crystobel used to crown Empress Odeliah and all Her Majesty's Imperial jewels can be seen in detail in this spectacular photo. 

The Emperor then poses in State with the Royal and Imperial Crowns for a set of  coreographed photo opportunities. 

The Imperial Family are also recored in a photo for the history books. 

The Royal guests...

...and the Scot-Britanian Nobles are all photographed as the Emperor and Empress prepare for the procession back to the Aldarian Palace.