King Charles’ Coronation sees last-minute change just hours before ceremony after backlash

People who wish to pay homage to the 74-year-old monarch are instead "invited" to do so.

Justin Welby was originally scheduled to introduce the homage with the words: “I call upon all persons of goodwill … to make their homage, in heart and voice, to their undoubted King, defender of all.”

The words have been altered to now say: “I now invite those who wish to offer their support to do so, with a moment of private reflection, by joining in saying ‘God save King Charles’ at the end, or, for those with the words before them, to recite them in full.”

The change to the homage comes after King Charles came under mounting pressure from critics and even friends.

Jonathan Dimbleby, a confidante of the King and author of his 1994 biography, said: “I can think of nothing that he would find more abhorrent.”

Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, has insisted it produced the liturgy in “close consultation” with both Buckingham Palace and Whitehall.

A Lambeth Palace spokesman said on Friday: “The Homage of the People was always an invitation rather than expectation.

“To provide further clarity as the order of service was finalised, it has been mutually agreed by Lambeth Palace and Buckingham Palace that the introductory words will be changed.

“This reflects the collaborative approach that has been taken throughout the Coronation planning.

“We are looking forward to the service tomorrow with much joy and expectation.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury will also break from tradition set at the late Queen’s Coronation in 1953 over the so-called Sword of Offering.

Queen Elizabeth II was told she may use the sabre “as the minister of God for the terror and punishment of evildoers, and for the protection and encouragement of those that do well”.

However, Welby will simply say on Saturday that King Charles can use the sword to “resist evil and defend the good”.

A major change ahead of Charles Coronation is the procession route he will take from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

The late Queen enjoyed a five-mile Coronation procession around much of London in 1953, stretching as far as Oxford Circus and Hyde Park Corner.

But Charles’ route will cut out large sections of the capital as the monarch travels down the Mall and through Whitehall.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will set out on their procession at 10.20am.

It will take the couple around 33 minutes to arrive at Westminster Abbey.