The Crowning Touch

CONSERVATION FOR THE CORONATION

Already a well-known lover of nature, wildlife, rural places and sustainability, it's perhaps no surprise that there was a strong 'green' thread running through His Majesty King Charles III's Coronation and that a number of commemorations to leave lasting legacies for people and nature have been planned in celebration.

From the invitation sent to guests for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey featuring leaves of oak, ivy and hawthorn, British wildflowers and wildlife and the Green Man (symbolising the arrival of spring and rebirth) this nod to nature could be seen. Recycled royal garments that King Charles wore during the service, the floral material headpieces worn by the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte, the gown embroidered with flowers worn by Queen Camilla, and the anointing screen showing a tree with birds and 56 leaves representing the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth - all highlighted the king's reverence for nature and his passion for flowers.

And now, having carefully tended his own 4 acre wildlife meadow for 30 years at Highgrove (attracting a wide variety of insects, birds and mammals) and being ever mindful of the 98% UK loss of our wildflower habitats over the past 80 years, primary schools nationwide are to receive 200,000 packets of seeds for children to scatter in their green spaces.

The government has also announced a 'King's Series of National Nature Reserves' (NNRs) which will create 5 major NNRs every year for the next 5 years - focusing on nature conservation and science whilst providing opportunities for people to enjoy nature. New 'Coronation Woods' will be created by Forestry England, while Defra will fund local communities, parish councils and housing associations to plant trees, community orchards and small woodlands. And the 2,700 mile England Coastal Path will be officially renamed the 'King Charles III England Coast Path'. Around 794 miles are already open and it's expected that the full trail set to be walkable by the end of 2024.

Even the Government of Canada has announced that they've marked the Coronation of His Highness King Charles III with a gift of nature. A release from the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) states that it is honoured to be entrusted with $100,000 from the Federal Government for a project that will conserve habitat across the country in his name. NCC President and CEO Catherine Grenier said, "The King has long used his voice on the global stage to stress the urgency of a unified effort against the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. There is no solution to either challenge without nature conservation. This gift is a vote of confidence in NCC's ability and determination to drive sizeable and permanent results for nature In Canada, and to prepare our young professionals to lead us all to a nature-positive future."

As Stella McCartney said at the King's Coronation Concert. "His majesty the king has been shining a spotlight on conservation and protecting our planet for 50 years now. He champions hope and action. Again, that hopeful spirit on this happy day, the work of healing our planet should be, and must be, the cause that unites us, never the cause that divides us. The planet earth is literally bigger than any of our differences. We need to leave a safe and sustainable world for all generations to come."

Thankfully mother nature provided clear skies for the festivities. And as all looked heavenward to the captivating drone display of a blue whale amongst other animals and insects in nature, to the soundtrack, a cover of 'Don't You Forget About Me' by Simple Minds, the poignant lyrics said it all.