Oil for King Charles’ coronation from Mount of Olives, produced in Jerusalem

The oil to be used for anointing Charles as King of England was consecrated in a special ceremony on Friday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Both Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus III and Anglican Archbishop Hosam Naoum blessed the coronation oil.

The oil was produced from olives grown in two groves on the Mount of Olives, at the Monastery of the Ascension and at the Monastery of Mary Magdalene. Charles’ grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece, is buried at the Monastery of Mary Magdalene.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the production of the oil demonstrates Charles’ family connection to the land of Israel.

“This demonstrates the deep historic link between the coronation, the Bible and the Holy Land,” said Welby. “From ancient kings through to the present day, monarchs have been anointed with oil from this sacred place.”

The archbishop also said a prayer for the king and his wife, “As we prepare to anoint the king and the queen consort, I pray that they would be guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.”

Charles’ coronation oil is modeled after the coronation oil used to anoint his mother, Queen Elizabeth, 70 years ago. According to Buckingham Palace, the formula for the oil has been used for hundreds of years and is perfumed with sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin and orange blossom.

At The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Chrism oil which will be used to anoint The King at the Coronation in May has been consecrated by The Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem.

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— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 3, 2023