Revd Helen Cameron receives King’s Coronation Medal

The Revd Helen Cameron reflects on receiving The King’s Coronation Medal.

I was surprised but delighted to receive a letter on St George’s Day informing me that King Charles III had conferred The King’s Coronation Medal on me in recognition of my contribution and participation in the Coronation of their Majesties, the King and Queen in May 2023.

Coronation medals have been struck to commemorate the coronation of every British monarch since King Edward VI in 1547. The tradition of giving silver medals to those assisting in a coronation at Westminster Abbey began in 1603 with the coronation of King James I, and has continued ever since.

The privilege of participating in an ecumenical blessing of the newly crowned King in my role as Moderator of the Free Churches Group stays with me as does the privilege of leading prayers at the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth. Whatever our individual or corporate views are of the role of the monarchy, I was conscious in that moment, in the life of our nation, that it was good that the people and the prayers of the Free Church were valued and visible. I still feel that.

Conversations with my fellow presidents and the General Secretary of Churches Together in England in this last year reinforce how important that ecumenical blessing was. It was an important symbol and sign of the change in understanding of the diversity of the Church and the importance of ecumenical relationships in England and the UK since 1953. Many people who talk to me about it saw it as an important celebration of the gift of diversity we know together in Christ.

Reverend Canon Helen Cameron

Chair of the Northampton District
Moderator of the Free Churches Group
President - Churches Together in England
President Designate - Methodist Conference 2024-25