Seventy years ago this spring, a young
princess left her palace to marry a handsome heir to a throne.
Their families had helped ensure the couple said ‘I do’ while
royalty from around the continent gathered to see them exchange
vows. It was a pattern followed by dynasties for centuries. And yet
in this post war wedding, where the groom had fought to free his
country and the bride had…
For the first time ever, female bishops
will take part in a Coronation service. Three of the UK’s highest
ranking clerics will play integral parts in the ceremony on May 6th
which will see King Charles III and Queen Camilla crowned. The Rt
Revd and Rt Hon Dame…
The Crown Jewels will be going on tour
after the Coronation – in a rather unusual form. An immersive light
and music show will project the famous gems on to the sides of
landmarks around the UK. The spectacle starts at the Tower of
London this autumn and will…
The Crown Jewels are the most sacred and
special jewellery and regalia at the disposal of the monarch, and
they are stored permanently at the Tower of London unless otherwise
needed for state occasions, such as a coronation. In total, there
are 142 objects with over 23,000 gemstones that make up the Crown
Jewels, from crowns, sceptres, and orbs to swords, maces, and
trumpets that are never…
It’s been the subject of speculation for
months now but King Charles might just have given us a clue as to
what he will wear for his Coronation. His Majesty has a number of
options, including traditional breeches and shirt or military
uniform. And as he posed for a…
The servant of the people - the symbolism in the Anointing Screen at King Charles III's Coronation
28th April 2023
King Charles III has chosen to emphasise
his role as servant of the people in one of the most important
symbols of his Coronation. The Anointing Screen which will be held
around His Majesty at the moment holy oil is placed on his head,
chest and hand features his cypher…
It is a chair with understated elegance
and steeped in history. The Coronation Chair, also known as King
Edward’s Chair or Saint Edward’s Chair, was commissioned by King
Edward I in 1296. Originally, it was meant to hold the Stone of
Scone, taken from Scotland by King Edward I. In fact, when kings
were crowned, they would sit directly on the Stone of Scone. In
later years, a piece of wood…
The ceremonial Sword of Offering will be
carried into the Coronation by a female officer for the first time
ever. Petty Officer Amy Taylor will bear the jewelled sword into
Westminster Abbey in The King and Queen’s Procession which will
form part of the opening…
For centuries, the King’s Champion
challenged anyone who dared to question the right of a newly
crowned monarch to rule. But while he no longer takes to horseback
to issue a defiant cry to those who would deny the Sovereign’s
status, he still plays an important…
The robe worn by monarchs at the most sacred part of the Coronation ceremony
27th April 2023
King Charles III’s coronation will be a
blend of modern and traditional. The Supertunica he will wear is
firmly in the “traditional” column. In fact, it dates back to
medieval coronations and is one of the items mentioned in the
‘Liber Regalis,’ which is basically a Coronation guide book that
dates back to 1382 when Richard II reigned. The ‘Liber Regalis’
says the Supertunica…
