(3 of 4)
Elizabeth took in her hands next the symbols of Kingliness: the Ring (of sapphire and rubies), to wed the Queen to her subjects; the Royal Sceptre with the Cross, decorated with the Star of Africa (a 516½-carat diamond), for "kingly power"; the Rod of equity and mercy, to "lead your people in the way wherein they should go." The climax of the coronation was near.
Crowning. The Crown itself sparkled in the candlelight. The Archbishop of Canterbury moved to the high altar, clasped it in both hands and raised it before him. "Oh God, the Crown of the Faithful," he prayed, "bless, we beseech Thee, this Crown, and so sanctify Thy servant Elizabeth, upon whose head Thou dost place it . . . that she may be filled by Thine abundant grace, with all princely virtue." With the Crown borne before him, Canterbury approached the Queen. He raised it high above her, paused for all to see, and placed it on her head.
From the Abbey's depths welled the deep voice of Elizabeth's subjects:
"God save the Queen! God save the Queen!"
Trumpets stabbed the air, and as one, a thousand peers and peeresses rose and put on their coronets. Outside (and across the Commonwealth, and wherever there were British ships), bells pealed and cannon roared.
Homage. The Queen sat motionless, her twin scepters held upright, her brown tresses peeping out from the rim of the lustrous Crown. From the choir rose the anthem, Be Strong and of Good Courage, and Elizabeth II, escorted by her nobles, moved to the high throne.
Geoffrey, Archbishop of Canterbury, was first to kneel at her feet. He placed his hands between his Queen's and spoke for the Established Church: "I will be faithful and true, and faith and truth will bear unto you, our Sovereign Lady . . . Defender of the Faith." Next came Philip, her husband, first peer of the realm. "I, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, do become your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship: and faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die against all manner of folks. So help me God." The Duke touched his sovereign's Crown, kissed his wife on the left cheek, then descended the five steps of the dais to his place on the left of the altar.
One doughty champion from each of the five degrees of peerage (dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons) followed in Philip's footsteps. Philip and the Dukes of Gloucester and Kent alone kissed Her Majesty's cheek. As each peer pledged his fealty, the members of his ancient order repeated, phrase by phrase, his oath of liegemanship. When it was done, the acclaim roared out once more:
"God save Queen Elizabeth!
Long live Queen Elizabeth!
May the Queen live forever!"