Cardinal Vincent Nichols presented the Loyal Address on behalf of the Catholic community of England and Wales, accompanied by Bishop Peter and several Catholic lay representatives.
Cardinal Nichols said to King Charles: “When you addressed faith leaders in September last year, you told us that ‘the beliefs that flourish in, and contribute to, our richly diverse society differ. They, and our society, can only thrive through a clear collective commitment to those vital principles of freedom of conscience, generosity of spirit and care for others which are, to me, the essence of our nationhood.’ These are values that the Catholic Church holds dear indeed.
“Your Majesty, as you approach the solemn moment of your Coronation, and in all the kingly service that you will continue to give in the years to come, I assure you, with great confidence, of the support and prayers of the Catholic community in England and Wales.”
Bishop Peter said: “I was honoured and delighted to accompany Cardinal Vincent Nichols to Buckingham Palace for the presentation of Loyal Addresses. Cardinal Nichols and I were accompanied by nine lay representatives of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
“The delegations were assembled in the magnificent ballroom for the addresses and there followed a reception with the King in the picture gallery, where we beheld a wonderful collection of famous art works. As we all prepare for the ceremonial and festivities of the coronation let us be united in keeping the sovereign at the heart of our prayer. God Save the King.”
The privileged bodies of the United Kingdom are those institutions and corporations which enjoy the historic right to present a loyal address to the Sovereign in person. In modern times this right is exercised on significant occasions in the life of the monarch and at a ceremony specially organised for the purpose. A senior representative of each body delivers each loyal address and, after each one has been read, the monarch responds and receives copies of each address.
Other bodies taking part included the Church of England, the Free Churches Group, the Quakers, a number of universities, the Bank of England, The Royal Society and historic bodies from London.
Click here to read Cardinal Nichols’ full address.
Pictured above are the group before the Loyal Address, courtesy of the Diocese of Westminster and below, an earlier picture of King Charles with Cardinal Nichols from Mazur/CBCEW.