Incredible recreation of King Charles I ‘execution’ in pictures | Royal | News
London was transported back in time on Sunday as members of the King’s Army, an arm of the British Civil War Association, marched through the capital to commemorate the execution of King Charles I. The event, in its 54th year, takes place every year on the last Sunday of January to coincide with the anniversary of the execution.
Charles I was beheaded “by Parliament” on 30 January 1649 after being found guilty of “treason and crimes against the country”. Each year, members of the King’s Army and civilians dress in period costume and re-enact Charles’ final steps from St James’s Palace to the Banqueting House in Whitehall, where he was beheaded in front of a crowd all those years ago.
Here the Daily Express takes a look at some of the best photos from today’s commemoration.
The annual costume parade, which even includes uniforms and weapon accessories of the time, attracts hundreds of visitors looking for a taste of the Caroline era. Organizers who announced the march in December said they would follow in Charles’ footsteps and wear two shirts if the weather was cold today, “so that they would not be seen shivering from the cold.”
(Image: Getty)
On the day of his execution, Charles asked for warmer clothes and said: “The season is so harsh that it would probably make me shiver, which some observers might think was due to fear. Such an accusation cannot be made against me.” That day, he was taken under guard from St James’s Palace, where he stayed after the hearing, to Whitehall Palace, where a scaffolding was built in front of the Banqueting House.
(Image: Getty)
“Not to have a share in the government, sir. That’s none of their business. A subject and a ruler are two completely different things, and so until they do that, I mean, if you put people into this freedom as I say, they’ll certainly never enjoy it.” Charles’ last words were: “I am passing from a kingdom open to corruption to an incorruptible kingdom, where there can be no confusion, no confusion in the world.”
(Image: Getty)
