The Throne of Deception

Coronation Ceremonies

Queen Arabella Marie Phillips Coronation

"Today we announce the crowning of the Queen of Great Britain. As tradition, she will come through the double doors during the ceremony and everyone will be required to stand and greet her as the Queen. After her arrival, everyone will be seated and she will be asked to give the royal oath. Let us please begin the ceremony."

I heard the loud buzzing of the man's voice through the speakers as the seamstress frantically fiddled with my dress and fluffed my hair.

Behind me, the guards fell into formation as I walked past them with admiration and fear as when I walk out of the threshold I will no longer be the person I was when I walked in. The white long doors to the cathedral slid open with a heavy breeze and the bright light flashed past my eyes. I winced for a second before looking out into the room to catch every pair of eyes on me except for his— the Kings.

Everyone stood on their feet (except for the king) and marveled at me for the moment before bursting into a synchronized greeting.

As I walked slowly into the room, his face contorted with disgust. In his eyes, I could see burning disapproval and a strong sense of hatred.

He was not ready to give up his throne, and, as a result, I paid the price.

The pope stood left of the throne with a bible in hand and the royal crown lying peacefully on an encrusted pillow. "Is your Majesty willing to take the Oath?"

And then I answered with a simple 'I am.'

The Archbishop began to speak again and everyone was seated. "The Queen shall answer each question as the oath follows."

Archbishop focuses solely on me as I place my hand on the Bible and says, "Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the People of Great Britain and of your Possessions and the other territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?"

"I solemnly promise so to do."

"Will you-with your power-cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?"

"I will."

"Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Protestant Reformed Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Church of England, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in England? And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?"

"All this I promise to do with my whole mind, body, and soul."

The pope trickled his finger in the anointed oil and smudged the oil along the length of my collar bone forming a cross. "I anoint thy breast." He again dipped his middle finger into the oil and drew a cross onto my forehead. "I anoint thy head." Lastly, he dipped his middle finger in the oil again and motioned for me to open my hand.

I followed his instruction and her ran the oil from the center of my palm to the tip of my middle finger before again making a cross.

As soon as he was finished I was given the royal jewels. After the scepter was placed in my right hand and the sovereign's orb was placed in my left. I looked up and in the corner of my eye I caught glimpse of my father and saw something in his eyes— it was pure rage.

Elizabeth Del Monte's Coronation

As I walked through the castle my face remained that of stone. The joy behind my eyes had flickered out and I had felt alone. As the sound of celebration neared me I could only feel dread filling me. I didn't want this, not if he couldn't be here with me.

As trumpets played out and my heart pounded harder and my eyes pulsed. I was drowning and no one was willing to save me.

"I now present thy future Queen—Queen Elizabeth Del Monte of France."

As the doors to the corridor opened, the bright light began to illuminate my body but could not make its way into my heart.

As I stepped into the room, trumpets began to blow and flower petals were thrown around me.

Everyone cheered and rejoiced as I knelt in front of the church pulpit.

"I dove the, child of the state and Queen Elizabeth Del Monte to rule over the kingdom of France. I anoint her with the oil of the God of the Sun, Land, and Water. Our savior, Jesus Christ." The priest dabbed his finger in the oil and pressed it against my forehead.

The priest looked over me one last time before retrieving the sceptre and the orb.