In his homily during yesterday's Coronation Thanksgiving, the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of two moments during the 1953 Liturgy: the Anointing and the Investiture with the Sword.

The Anointing is, he said, 'an Ordination, a setting apart of a person for service'. He likened it to the Consecration of Bishops, a Sacrament, a unique moment, which by its very definition is unrepeatable and transforming for life.

Speaking of the Investiture with the Sword, he said that the accompanying words go to the core of the meaning of Coronation and expound the function of Christian Kingship.