The Archbishop of Westminster has said the controversial invitation for millions of people to pledge allegiance to the King is “remarkable” and “lovely”.

For the first time in history the public will be given an active role in the coronation, having been invited to say the oath to the King out loud.

During the service, the Archbishop of Canterbury will ask “all who so desire, in the Abbey, and elsewhere, [to] say together: I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God.”

There will then be a fanfare, after which the Most Reverend Justin Welby will say: “God Save The King”, with all asked to respond: “God Save King Charles. Long Live King Charles. May The King live forever.”

The invitation has been branded “an offensive and tone deaf gesture that holds the people in contempt” by the campaign group Republic.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the most senior Catholic clergyman in England, said: “I think it is a very remarkable moment, it is obviously something quite new.”

He told Sky News “the important thing to remember” was the new Homage of the People, which will replace the traditional Homage of Peers, was “an invitation, it is not a command”.

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He added: “If that is what you want to do, here is your moment to express your sense of loyalty and your sense of support, and maybe prayer, for the King.

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“He [the Archbishop of Canterbury] has offered a formula of words, but I take that as an offering as well.

“It is a lovely invitation and I hope people will take it up in their own way to express what hopefully is in their hearts, that they wish King Charles God’s blessing and they wish him well in his spirit of service which he brings to this coronation.”

It is hoped the removal of the Homage of Peers will reduce the length of the service, which is expected to last around two hours.

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