Why is Zadok the Priest Played at British Coronations?

When England’s Queen Anne died without immediate heirs, the throne passed to her German cousin, the elector himself, who was crowned George I and was pleased to claim the attention of Handel.

George I’s son, George II, also preferred the work of his father’s longtime favorite, and he requested that Handel write music for his coronation.

Zadok the Priest is a British anthem that was composed by George Frideric Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727. 

It will be used in King Charles' ceremony. (I'll post the lyrics below.)

Zadok was the priest who anointed Solomon, as described in 1 Kings 1. During the service, Charles will be anointed with holy Chrism oil, made using olives from the Mount of Olives and consecrated in Jerusalem.

The tradition dates back to the Old Testament of the Bible which describes the anointing of King Solomon by Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet and has been maintained to emphasize the spiritual status of the monarch.

"This is often thought to be the most sacred part of the ceremony," Charles Farris, Public Historian At Historic Royal Palaces, said. "It's an ancient and very symbolic ceremony ... historically it was akin to the anointing of priests and bishops."

Zadok the Priest is sung in three languages: English, French and German.   

Do read 1 Kings 1. It tells the drama surrounding Solomon becoming King. An exciting and true event, it was not so simple as was Charles' ascension to the throne.

I'll be getting up in the middle of the night to watch the live stream of King Charles' coronation, which I have waited most of my life to experience. While I adored Queen Elizabeth, and am so sorry she has passed, this moment was inevitable. And I'm excited. I have followed Charles' life since I was a young girl, with great fascination. He is quite a character. I believe he will be an effective and loyal king.

Long Live the King!

The lyrics to the song are as follows:

Zadok the priest
And Nathan the prophet
Anointed Solomon king
And all the people
Rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced
And all the people
Rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced
Rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced
And all the people
Rejoiced, rejoiced, rejoiced and said

God save the king
Long live the king
God save the king
May the king live forever
Amen, amen, alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen
Amen, amen, alleluia, amen

God save the king
Long live the king
May the king live forever
Amen, amen, alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen
May the king live
May the king live
For ever, for ever, for ever,
Amen, amen, alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen
Alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, amen

Long live the king
God save the king
Long live the king
May the king live
May the king live
For ever, for ever, for ever,
Amen, amen, alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen
Alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, amen