(CNN) The Church of England changed the wording of its invitation to the public to pledge allegiance to King Charles during his tenure coronationafter general reaction.
In a breach of coronation tradition, British citizens and citizens of Commonwealth countries around the world were initially invited to recite a pledge of allegiance to the new monarch and his “heirs and successors”.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, who sanctioned the new Mass, introduced plans to involve the public in the ceremony as a democratic initiative.
But after public criticism, the archbishop will now give people the option of saying “God save King Charles,” rather than making the full Pledge of Allegiance.
According to a revised text from the Liturgy for the Coronation Service, published on Saturday by Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop will say: “Now I invite those who wish to lend their support to do so, in a moment of private reflection, by participating in the saying ‘God Save King Charles’ at the end, Or to whomever the words were before them, to recite them in full.
The full pledge read: “I swear I will make true allegiance to your majesty and to your heirs and successors in accordance with the law. I mean by God.”
In an earlier version of the text, published in April, the Archbishop was to “call upon all persons of good will in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and in other Realms and Territories, to pay homage, in heart and voice to their undoubted King, the Defender About everyone.
Jonathan Dimbleby, a veteran broadcaster and prominent friend of the King, has called the previous version “unwise”.
Dimbleby told BBC Radio: “I can think of nothing he would find more distasteful. He never wanted to be revered. He never, as far as I know, wanted someone to honor him except in mock terms as a joke.” 4 The Today Show on Friday.
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