27 April 2023 , 21:00
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The King has put diversity at the heart of his Coronation by inviting a broad range of society to be involved in the procession.
Legendary children’s TV presenter Baroness Benjamin and Dame Elizabeth Anionwu OM, the last two members to join the elite Order of Merit by the late Queen, have been handed prominent roles in the Westminster Abbey ceremony.
Baroness Benjamin, who will carry the Sceptre with the Dove and while Dame Elizabeth will take the Orb to the altar, 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."
Petty Officer Amy Taylor will be the first woman to bear the Jewelled Sword of Offering into the Abbey.
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Dame Elizabeth Anionwu (Philip Coburn)
Baroness BenjaminShe has been selected to represent Service men and women, as a Royal Navy Petty Officer, a tribute to His Majesty’s military career.
She said: "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."
The first processions into the Abbey on May 6 will be made up of faith leaders and representatives followed shortly afterwards by representatives from His Majesty’s 15 Realms.
Flags of each Realm will be carried by national representatives accompanied by the Governors General and Prime Ministers.
Bearing the flag of the United Kingdom ahead of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Mrs Akshata Murty will be Cadet Warrant Officer Elliott Tyson-Lee, who said: “It is a great and incredible honour to be a part of Their Majesties’ Coronation Service as a representative of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets."
The Procession of The King and The Queen which will be led by the Marquess of Anglesey and the Duke of Westminster - dubbed the “most eligible bachelor in Britain after inheriting £9 billion at the age of 25 in 2016.
Francis Dymoke, who proved he would be the 34th member of his family to attend a coronation since William the Conqueror's will carry The Royal Standard.
The 67-year-old accountant-turned-farmer who lives in Lincolnshire had his claim to undertake a historic role in the Coronation upheld by the Coronation Claims Office.
The title of King or Queen’s Champion has been held by the Dymoke family since the Middle Ages.
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