It’s been nearly 90 years since the
United Kingdom crowned its last King, King George VI. And the
outfit worn by George on 12 May 1937 might give us an idea of how
King Charles III may dress when he is crowned on 6 May, and how he
could follow tradition. As he walked into Westminster Abbey, King
George VI wore the Robe of State, also known as the Parliament
Robe. The long mantle is worn…
The duke who made sure part of the Crown Jewels were removed from coronations
24th April 2023
The Jewel House at the Tower of London is
home to the Crown Jewels, part of which includes a total of sixteen
silver trumpets, dating back to 1780, also known as the state
trumpets. However, only one of the trumpets is on display for
visitors to see. Seven of these…
The modern brides of the House of Kent
have all made history with their royal marriages in one way or
another and the gowns they wore on their big day are certainly
memorable. Two took centre stage in some of the most ancient
churches in England while another was worn at a…
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…
During the Coronation Service of King
Charles III, a Bible will be presented to him as his first gift.
The presentation of the Bible has been a part of every Coronation
since Mary II and William III in 1689. King Charles will receive
one that is specially made for his…
A crucial part of any Coronation is the
oath that the new Sovereign takes. Just like the ceremony itself,
the oath that is part of it has changed throughout the centuries,
according to historical context and the will of the Monarch. The
last big change to the…
The oldest surviving royal wedding dress
in Britain is now on show for the first time in a decade. The gown
worn by Princess Charlotte of Wales, the House of Hanover’s missing
queen, is on display at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace as
part of a new summer exhibition. Princess Charlotte of Wales was
second in line to the throne when she married Prince Leopold of…
The weighty reminder of power that will be placed in the hands of King Charles III
20th April 2023
It’s one of the oldest and storied item
in the Crown Jewels, the Sovereign’s Orb. Created in 1661 by Sir
Robert Vyner for Charles II’s coronation, the orb is a hollow gold
sphere with a cross on top. It symbolizes the monarch’s Christian
sovereignty and their…
Two pieces of the True Cross, said to be
that on which Jesus was crucified, have been given to King Charles
III by Pope Francis and they will play a role in the Coronation.
The King has had them incorporated into a new silver cross for the
Church of Wales which will be…
It was a ground breaking and glamourous
royal wedding and the images of it remain as familiar now as they
have ever done. The world watched, enthralled, when Grace Kelly
married Prince Rainier III of Monaco on April 19th 1956. Her
wedding dress has become one of the most celebrated royal outfits
of modern times. And her bridal bouquet is just as well known. For
her religious wedding, Grace chose a…
