British Royals

King Charles III celebrates ''warm friendship'' with St. Patrick's Day message

King Charles III has sent a special message to the President of Ireland to mark St. Patrick’s Day. King Charles wrote to President Michael D. Higgins to express his ”warmest congratulations” on the day. In his message, His Majesty said ”St. Patrick’s Day has global resonance, not least across the United Kingdom, which speaks to the warm friendship and strong…
Read more
Features

Why are coronations held at Westminster Abbey?

One thing has been certain about the Coronation of King Charles III from the very start. Even before the date was known, the location of the crowning of the new Monarch was set in stone. For Charles III, like every King and Queen for almost a millennium, will be crowned at…
Features

The Coronation portrait of King George VI interrupted by war

It is one of the most striking portraits of George VI painted in his reign and contains all the symbols of his kingship in a dramatic and historic setting. But this famous image had to wait for completion because of war. The famous portrait by Sir Gerald Festus Kelly was commissioned by the king in early 1938, just a few months after he was crowned at Westminster Abbey. It shows him in his…
Read more
Features

The Coronation of King Henry IV

The reign of King Henry IV began with usurpation and heralded a period of power struggles that would end in the War of the Roses. As he rode to his Coronation, in 1399, his predecessor languished in jail and would die in mysterious circumstances within months. Henry IV’s…
British Royals

It's 50 days until the Coronation of King Charles III

There are just 50 days to go until the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey. His Majesty will be crowned on May 6th 2023 by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Queen Camilla will be crowned at the same ceremony. Their Majesties will travel to the Abbey on the morning of May 6th in the Gold State Coach in The King’s Procession. Following the service, they will return to…
Read more
Features

The uncrowned kings of England

On May 6th 2023, the fortieth Coronation of a Monarch since the Norman Conquest takes place at Westminster Abbey. King Charles III will be crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury in a ceremony that is little changed through the centuries. It will be, as it has been for…
Features

The duke who inherited the job of organising the Coronation

The Coronation of King Charles III will involve thousands of people but, ultimately, the responsibility for organising this historic royal event falls to one person. The job belongs to the Earl Marshal. The Earl Marshal is one of the Great Officers of State and for centuries, the role has belonged to the Dukes of Norfolk. It became an hereditary position within the family in 1672 and, ever…
Read more