King Charles III is making considerable
changes to the coronation to modernise the ceremony and recognise
the monarchy’s position in the twenty-first century. Both the
coronation ceremony and procession will look quite different from
his mother’s coronation in 1953. However, Charles is not the only
monarch to make changes to coronation traditions.
Historically newly–crowned monarchs…
Nearly every European monarch is related
to the House of Windsor in some way or another. King Christian IX
of Denmark and Queen Victoria of Great Britain both sought to marry
their numerous children and grandchildren into houses across
Europe, and these bloodlines are still…
While there are reports of changes ahead
of King Charles III’s Coronation in May, each Coronation has had
its own changes. King George VI was the first monarch to give a
Coronation speech to be broadcast over the radio on the day of his
Coronation. King George V gave…
Queen Victoria’s reign is notable for its
length, for its innovations and revolutions, and for her
steadfastness in navigating the Crown through to modern times. Her
fashion was legendary both contemporarily—she helped popularise
white wedding dresses—and today as a study not only of the woman
but also the kingdom she reigned over. The morning she ascended the
throne, 20 June 1837, she…
The Coronation Chair, known as St
Edward’s Chair, or King Edward’s Chair is perhaps one of the most
symbolic parts of a monarch’s coronation. While the 700-year-old
chair is typically only used for the coronation service, there is
one sovereign who used it…
England has held coronations for hundreds
of years and despite the country’s vast history, one might be
surprised to learn that the oldest part of the Crown Jewels, is a
spoon. The silver-gilt spoon is first recorded in 1349 as being
preserved among St…
When the whole world is watching, the
pressure to pull off an event perfectly like a coronation is
immense. It’s been 70 years since the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth
II and during the three-hour service, it’s reported the then
25-year-old made only one mistake. It was a first-of-its-kind event
as modern technology meant that this was the first British
coronation to be televised…
A Guide to Coronation Service: The entry of the Monarch into Westminster Abbey
20th March 2023
On 6 May, King Charles III and Queen
Consort Camilla will be crowned at Westminster Abbey. For many,
this will be the first coronation they have ever seen. The ceremony
will follow a pattern laid out in the Liber Regalis, kept at
Westminster Abbey and which has informed…
When King Charles III and Queen Camilla
are crowned on 6 May, many Coronation traditions will take place
for the first time in 70 years. Among them will be the use of the
Gold State Coach for a Coronation procession. However, there is
expected to be a modern twist on this…
The coronation of a consort who might have been England's first queen regnant
18th March 2023
In another lifetime, perhaps she’d be
recognised as England’s first queen regnant, but Elizabeth of York
was fated to be a consequential queen consort instead, with her
popularity helping to sow peace in the aftermath of the Wars of the
Roses. Elizabeth holds a unique position in English history: she is
the only woman to be daughter, niece, sister, wife, and mother to
kings. The long and…
