— A Connecticut woman who spent five days camped out for the coronation. Blimey.
theSkimm With
Katie Nicholl
It’s official: King Charles III and Queen Camilla have been crowned, well, king and queen. This morning, the royal couple and about 2,000 guests — including first lady Jill Biden, Princes William and Harry, and other members of the royal family — kicked off the coronation festivities with the traditional ceremony. A biggie, considering it’s the first in 70 years. Ahead of the three-day celebration, we spoke to Katie Nicholl, royal correspondent and author of “The New Royals” to learn more about the coronation and its significance. Here’s what she had to say…
Q: Of course, the purpose of the coronation is to crown the next monarch. Why else is it significant?
This is the first coronation that most of us will ever have seen because very few will still be around from the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. So the rarity of this occasion, the solemnity of this occasion, the symbolism of this occasion, I think is hugely significant. It is the crowning of a new king and queen — and we haven’t had that since George VI and the Queen Mother ... [People around the world are going to] want to witness this moment in history.
Q: In what ways will King Charles III’s coronation feel similar to Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation?
You’re going to have grand processions, an incredible turnout of service members and representatives from the Commonwealth realms and nations ... [Plus] the ceremonial robes, the Coronation Chair, the Stone of Scone — all of these important historical elements of the coronation that have been echoed through the centuries. It’s worth noting that Charles is a man who loves history. He loves music, he loves culture, and he has said himself, he loves ceremony. This is a big part of who he is, the institution from which he comes from. It’s part of his DNA. And of course this is the most important ceremony of his life … So he’ll want all the history and majesty and tradition reflected in this.
Q: And how much will he make his own?
The king is going to invite the people of the nation to swear allegiance to him. That’s a break in tradition because it’s usually just the [hereditary] peers at Westminster Abbey who do that. So you’ll see this is being referred to as the people’s coronation because of that. We are seeing a 1000-year-old ceremony being tweaked for the modern day ... We’ve also got the king reusing certain robes that have been worn historically in previous coronations as part of his drive for a more sustainable reign.
Q: So it’ll reflect the type of king he wants to be?
He’s our green king. He was the one who was warning us about climate change years before anyone was prepared to take him seriously. And so sustainability seems to be very much at the heart of this, from the reusing of robes to Camilla choosing to wear a crown — Queen Mary’s Crown — rather than having one commissioned for this occasion. I also think it’s the sign of a king who’s mindful of Britain being in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, hence the smaller ceremony and the scaled back security operation ... [all of which is the monarchy] keeping with the public mood because that’s absolutely fundamental to its success and its longevity.
Q: Speaking of longevity, data has shown that support for the monarchy has been slipping. Will that have any impact on the coronation?
I think it’s going to be very interesting to see how many switch on to watch the service, how many switch off during the service, and how many stick with the programming throughout the day and weekend. We saw record viewing figures on the BBC for the Queen’s funeral. I suspect we’re not going to see anything like that number for the King’s coronation ... Charles really has his work cut out in terms of proving why we need a monarchy in modern Britain, why it’s relevant, and how it can serve its people — particularly its young people.
Psst, this interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What's Happening
📺 In entertainment…
As some late-night TV has gone dark, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix still have new shows in the queue. Case in point: “Queen Charlotte” is out — and dearest readers, it is flawless. Plus, “Dancing with the Stars” is making the leap back to ABC. And “Only Murders” will reportedly return this summer for a killer third season — because, reminder, Meryl Streep will be in the building. In music news, Ed Sheeran may be all about subtracting, but he’s also adding some “intimate“ shows to his schedule. Meanwhile, Beyoncé is gearing up to take her “Renaissance” on the road. No surprise, the Beyhive is getting in formation. Oh and turns out, some reallylike it hot.
🍦 In food...
Panera is serving up some delicious merch, while McDonald’s new frozen treat is packing a (Hawaiian) punch. By the way, if you’ve ever wondered how long McDonald’s fries stay good for, it’s longer than you think. Meanwhile, JetBlue is taking non-alcoholic beer to new heights. And, as you might have noticed, bread is once again on the rise. Speaking of things ramping up, people are going wild for wild leeks. Though, others are opting for popcorn salad. Meanwhile, at the dinner table: To share or not to share? Turns out, that isa question. But for the most memorable meals, some say there’s no place like home(s). Plus, if you thought getting your kids to finish their carrots was hard, try getting your kids to finish their crickets.
📱In tech...
First things first, a piece of good news: Apple and Google have teamed up to curb AirTag stalking. And there’s a few more things to add to the list of everything AI can help with, including personal styling, writing wedding vows, even crafting more polite Nextdoor posts, if you can believe it. Looking for a home? ChatGPT can help with that, too. But if you’re still stressed from all the Redfin notifications, you could follow in the footsteps of Gen Z and see if getting a flip phone is the right call. Meanwhile, over on TikTok, a viral filter is raising some eyebrows. And consultants can help answer, ‘What’s in a (baby) name?’
Need a way to get away this weekend? Try a local foliage tour. Hear us out. When it comes to leaf peeping, fall gets all the glory. But you won’t be-leaf what the spring and pre-summer scenery have to offer. So hop in your car and head to the nearest park or greenish patch for an immediate mood boost.
Psst…we’ve got the perfect car for your everyday getaways. The 2023 Ford Escape is built for real-life adventures, with more legroom, a panoramic vista roof, and a serious sound system to set the perfect drive vibe. *Grabs keys.*
Skimm Reads
“Homebodies” by Tembe Denton-Hurst...When your work is your identity, and it goes away — what then? That’s one of the questions that propels this excellent debut novel. It follows Mickey, a Black beauty writer in NYC who’s let go from her buzzy, great-on-paper job...and then has to reckon with the way she was treated there, and what she really wants next. She flees the city (and the woman she loves) to try and figure it out. This one truly gets what it is to be young and confused in today’s world (worry about being iced out of the group chat included), and we devoured it.
Skimm Picks
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. Heat-and-eat pierogies that’ll be your new fave no-planning meal.
The sister duo behind Jaju Pierogi used their grandfather’s recipe to make dumpling perfection. And now, you can get all the made-from-scratch goodness at a grocery store near you, or shipped straight to your door.*
2. Clean beauty products that are basically doctor-recommended skin quenchers.
Urban Hydration’s aloe vera collection uses plant-powered ingredients to help fight acne, hide dark spots, aaaand keep your skin feeling extra hydrated. PS: Skimm’rs get 20% off with code CLEANBEAUTY20.*
Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.
Weekend Escape
*Slams laptop shut until Monday.* We know the feeling. And we’ve got some tips for escape.
As we mentioned, King Charles III’s coronation is already underway — and, of course, it’s a day fit for a, well, you know. But luckily, there are plenty of ways for everyone to experience the royal affair, whether you’re celebrating in London or in your living room. Here’s how…
If you’re in town for the coronation: The ceremony may be over, but the festivities are just beginning. Tomorrow, do whatever you’ve got to do to work up a big appetite for the Big Lunch — aka, when communities will gather in the streets to eat, drink, and be merry. After that, make sure to tune into the BBC to catch the Coronation Concert, which will feature Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, and other high-profile performers. On Monday, close out the celebrations by giving back during the Big Help Out. That could mean volunteering at a bake sale, donating clothes, or cleaning up a local playground.
