Mystery of 'Grim Reaper wielding a scythe' at Westminster Abbey is solved

10 May 2023 , 22:54

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Royal fans were terrified after spotting the 'Grim Reaper' at King Charles' Coronation ceremony on May 6 (Image: BBC)

The identity of the mysterious ‘Grim Reaper’ figure seen briefly at King Charles III’s Coronation at Westminster Abbey, that caused such a buzz on social media, has been revealed.

During the historic ceremony that was televised live, a cloaked figure was spotted scurrying beneath the rood screen of the abbey, holding what looked to be a long staff, although some people described it as a scythe, something that the Grim Reaper would be holding.

Theories came from every angle, too, from Meghan Markle in disguise to the spirit of Princess Diana, but the truth has been revealed and the explanation is rather more mundane.

Westminster Abbey were asked exactly what or who the curious figure was and it seems it was just a verger going about his daily business, albeit at the first coronation in 70 years, coverage which was watched by nearly 19 million people in the UK.

A verger is a member of the abbey community who assists with religious services, but who is not actually a member of the clergy, he is a layperson. He is basically a glorified caretaker or attendant in the abbey or other such place of worship.

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They can sometimes be seen carrying a rod before a bishop or dean as a symbol of office.

The Coronation of King Charles III was watched by over 18 million people in the UK (PA)

In a recent job vacancy advert for a verger at Ripon Cathedral, they were looking for someone to be ‘involved in the presentation and maintenance of the Cathedral’.

Main duties and responsibilities included ‘ensuring effective communication’, ‘assisting with the effective management of all events, liturgical and secular in the Cathedral, ‘with the proper care, preparation and maintenance of all items used in services’, as well as many more tasks.

For readers of an older persuasion, a verger conjures up images of Edward Sinclair Perry who played the jovial verger Mr Yeatman at St Aldhelm’s, and who was the vicar’s loyal servant, in Dad’s Army.

Dominic Picksley