In 1727, George II wanted a new song for his coronationThe ceremony where a King or Queen is crowned.. So the great composer George Handel was given his trickiest job yet: to write a piece that was literally fit for a king. 

The result of his labours, Zadok the Priest, will be sung again at the coronation of Charles III on Saturday. It is a soaring, triumphant piece, fitting a once-in-a-generation occasion.

But the British people are celebrating in a different way: with outright silliness.

Argos has released a lifesize cutout of the new king. HeinzAn American food company known for its tomato ketchup. has released a commemorative "tomato kingchup". Celebrations has produced a 23kg bust of Charles made entirely of chocolate.

Some have got sniffy about this outbreak of silliness. They say the coronation is a serious occasion and we should treat it with respect.

Others, however, say we should embrace the nonsensical side of the coronation. An old man will use a special 700-year-old spoon to put oil on another old man's hands, chest and head. An official quicheA baked tart with a savoury filling including eggs. has been released for the occasion. None of it makes sense.

What is more, they suggest, that sense of silliness has the power to bring the British people together like nothing else.

British humour has always had a taste for the absurd. Some even think this sense of joy in the absurdity of life is what has kept this country going. In its 1,200-year history, Britain has suffered invasions, civil warA war between people from the same country. , plagueA deadly disease that spreads between people. and famineA widespread scarcity of food. . The best way of coping has been to find humour in the absurdity of it all.

Psychologists say humour comes with a number of benefits. It can reduce feelings of anger, anxiety and depression.¹ So at a time when people are worrying about the future, some say, having a good laugh might be the best thing for us.

Yes: Even the palace seems to have noticed people cannot take the ceremony entirely seriously, otherwise it would not have released a special emoji for the occasion.

No: For some, the coronation is no laughing matter. Some think we should take our national traditions much more seriously. Others say it is obscene to spend so much on a single event when people are struggling financially.

Or... Britain is a country that is increasingly uncertain about its identity. The problem is that no-one is quite sure what they are celebrating on Saturday - or if we are all celebrating the same thing.