Baroness Benjamin: ‘My place in the Coronation proves the King embraces diversity’

Baroness Benjamin will carry part of the ceremonial regalia in the Coronation procession, as she said her involvement sent a “clear message that diversity and inclusion is being embraced” by the King.

The Liberal Democrat peer, who as Floella Benjamin made her name presenting children’s television programmes, will carry the sceptre with the dove through Westminster Abbey on May 6.

She is among an eclectic group set to carry historic items such as crowns, sceptres, rings, rods and the orb in the procession, while others will present them to the King and Queen.

Among those chosen to take on a ceremonial role during the ceremony are Lord Hastings; Delaval Astley, a former actor who for two years played Cameron Fraser in The Archers; and Baroness Manningham-Buller, the former director-general of MI5, who will carry St Edward’s Staff.

It poses a notable contrast to Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, when those who performed such roles were all white men, the majority of whom were aristocrats who had inherited their titles.

Baroness Benjamin said: “I feel honoured and privileged to be part of the historic Coronation ceremony.

“To be selected to carry the Sovereign’s sceptre with dove, which represents spirituality, equity and mercy, is for me very symbolic as it’s everything I stand for and sends out a clear message that diversity and inclusion is being embraced.”

The announcement came just days before the Coronation, when the King and Queen will be crowned side by side in a service blending ancient and modern.

Ahead of the historic day, delegates from around the world have been publicly confirming their attendance.

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, announced he will attend after doubts were raised about his presence.

James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, defended the decision to allow Han Zheng, the architect of China’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, to attend. Mr Cleverly insisted that the UK had no influence over which representative a country chooses to send.

They will be among 2,000 in Westminster Abbey watching the two-hour service, which will begin with the ceremonial processions.

Petty Officer Amy Taylor will become the first woman to carry the Sword of Offering into the Abbey. She was chosen to represent servicemen and women as a Royal Navy Petty Officer, in tribute to His Majesty’s military career.

The honour of carrying St Edward’s Crown has gone to General Sir Gordon Messenger, former vice-chief of defence staff, who is now the governor of the Tower of London.

Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, a former nurse recently appointed to the Order of Merit alongside Lady Benjamin, will carry the orb, a symbol of the sovereign’s power.

Meanwhile, Baroness Amos, who was last year invested into the Order of the Garter, will join the Archbishop of Canterbury in participating in the Act of Recognition at the beginning of the service, when the King is presented to the congregation.

They will be joined by Christopher Finney, who became the youngest serviceman to receive the George Cross after saving lives during a friendly-fire incident in Iraq when he was only 18, and Lady Elish Angiolini, Scotland’s first female Lord Advocate.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: “Those undertaking the historic roles were chosen to recognise, thank and represent the nation due to their significant service, and include representatives from Orders of Chivalry, the military and wider public life.”

The King has long championed multicultural Britain and firmly believes it is his role to protect and celebrate such diversity.

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace confirmed that clerics from other faiths will form part of a “faith procession” – the first to enter the Abbey – while four peers representing the Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Jewish faiths will each present the King with a piece of regalia.

Their participation will represent the first involvement of non-Christian figures in the crowning of a British monarch.

The Rt Rev Lord Chartres, who will carry the Queen Consort's ring, said: “The ceremonies of the Coronation are ancient but they have been freshly interpreted for our contemporary world.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury recently denied reports that there had been “tension” between church leaders and the King over the multi-faith elements of the Coronation.

He said that the service would be “deeply representative” of the nation, designed to reflect tradition while also representing the fact that the nation is “infinitely more diverse than we were in 1953”.

Meanwhile, the Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover, who was born and raised in Montego Bay, will present the Queen Consort's rod.

The first processions into Westminster Abbey will be made up of clerics representing multiple faiths.

Non-Christian religions will be represented by four members of the House of Lords from four major faiths chosen to present the regalia to Their Majesties.

As Prince of Wales, the King once said he would prefer to be “Defender of Faith” rather than “Defender of the Faith” –  a title that all English sovereigns since Henry VIII have held as head of the Church of England.

The Robe Royal, or Imperial Mantle, will be carried to the King by Baroness Merron, 64, a Jewish peer and former Labour MP.

Made for the Coronation of George IV in 1821, its design was based on a priestly robe.

The gold mantle, woven in coloured threads, features a pattern of foliage, crowns, fleurs-de-lis and eagles, with coloured roses, thistles and shamrock.

The Lord Patel, 84, who was chosen to represent the Hindu faith, will present the Sovereign’s ring to the King, while Lord Kamall, 56, a London-born Muslim peer who sits as a Conservative, will carry the armills, a pair of bracelets worn by George VI.

Lord Singh of Wimbledon, 90, a Sikh crossbench peer born in Rawalpindi, will present the Coronation glove, which the King will remove to receive the Coronation ring.

The Lord Carrington, Lord Great Chamberlain, will present the spurs, while senior clerics from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will present the orb, the sceptre with cross and the sceptre with dove.

After the faith procession, the flags of each Commonwealth Realm will be carried by national representatives accompanied by the governors-general and prime ministers.

Bearing the UK flag ahead of Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, and his wife Akshata Murty, will be Cadet Warrant Officer Elliott Tyson-Lee, an RAF Air Cadet.

Several of those who will play a ceremonial role during the service were chosen when their claims were upheld by the Coronation Claims Office. The others were chosen on either the advice of the Government or the Royal Household.

The Coronation Claims Office was created in January to allow anyone whose ancestor may have played a role at a previous coronation to apply to take on the mantle.

However, the Cabinet Office was inundated with claims from peers who wrongly believed they had a hereditary right to play a role. More than 200 applications were received but just 13 claims were upheld.

Applicants were asked to provide evidence that the relevant claim had been performed at previous coronations and to then prove their connection to the person involved.

Among the peers and organisations who successfully proved their hereditary right to attend the ceremony was Francis Dymoke, who will carry the Royal Standard in the King and Queen’s procession, led by peers from all four UK nations.

The title of King or Queen’s Champion has been held by the Dymoke family since the Middle Ages.

The King’s Champion would previously ride on horseback into the Coronation banquet and challenge any who doubted the right of the King or Queen to the throne.

Since the last such banquet was held by George IV in 1821, the Champion has since instead undertaken a different role since, usually bearing a flag or Standard.

'My family has done it since William the Conqueror'

The 67-year-old accountant-turned-farmer, who lives in Lincolnshire, previously told The Telegraph of his claim.

“I wrote along the lines that […] my family has done it since William the Conqueror, and though I appreciate it’s not a right any more […] it would be a good thing to be involved,” he said.

The Earl of Loudoun, the Right Honourable Simon Abney-Hastings, 48, will join Lord Hastings in carrying the spurs after also lodging a successful claim.

The Gold Spurs are the first symbols of sovereignty presented to the monarch. Made in 1661 for Charles II, they were altered in 1820 for George IV.

In 1953, they were carried by Lord Hastings and Lord Churston, who both claimed descent from the John Marshal who carried the spurs at the coronation of Richard I in 1189.

While the current Lord Hastings - the 23rd Baron - made a successful claim, the Churston family decided to step back.

The Duke of Wellington will carry Queen Mary’s Crown.

Sir Gordon, the Lord High Steward of England - another office held just for that day - is the most senior Great Officer of State for the Coronation, in order to bear the St Edward’s Crown, the most significant item of regalia.

He said: “It is a huge and unique honour to be appointed Lord High Steward for His Majesty’s Coronation.

“To be playing a key role on such an important and historic occasion is a source of great pride to me, my family, the Royal Marines, and the Tower of London community.”

Petty Officer Taylor said: “Having served most of my senior career as an aircraft engineer on 845 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton, where His Majesty originally trained and served as a pilot, I am deeply honoured and humbled to play my part in this historic event.

“Coming from a farming family, His Majesty has always been such a great advocate for our community and someone I have admired growing up.”

Also taking part in the procession will be Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, acting as Lord High Constable of England, an office held for the day only.

He will take part alongside the Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk.

Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws, a barrister and Labour member of the House of Lords, will carry the Queen Consort’s rod.

On Tuesday, the King and Queen attended a celebratory reception in the Palace of Westminster with Mr Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer, as well as MPs and peers from all parties.