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 coronation was a show of
power, designed to establish his authority at a time of turbulence
and to demonstrate that he was a…
The history of the chairs to be used by King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Coronation
2nd May 2023
In another poignant nod to his mother and
grandfather, The King has chosen to reuse the chairs made for each
of them for their own Coronations when he is crowned at Westminster
Abbey. During the ceremony, on May 6th 2023, King Charles III and
Queen Camilla will sit on…
His reign would end with the toppling of
the monarchy but as Charles I was crowned King of England in 1626,
there was little indication that the ancient ceremony heralded a
time of tumult that would lead to war and death. However, as the
Archbishop of Canterbury lifted St.
With the Coronation only a few days away,
the country is abuzz with speculation about what to expect from
this historic event. The last Coronation took place seventy years
ago, and much has changed since then. We have been given a
tantalising glimpse into what the Procession will look like, what
Their Majesties will be wearing, and what the actual Ceremony at
Westminster Abbey will…
The coronation that created the glittering image of monarchy about to be unveiled in Westminster Abbey
1st May 2023
He was a hero king who had survived an
epic game of thrones and his coronation was set to be a splendid
celebration at the start of a new era of royal power. The crowning
of Richard I involved pomp, pageantry and chivalric splendour but
it also led to riots and the deaths of…
It has been described as the most
important British dress design of the 20th century and the gown
that Queen Elizabeth II wore at her Coronation, on June 2nd 1953,
has its own place in history. The work of Sir Norman Hartnell,
created in partnership by the Monarch, it has…
The idea of the Crown Jewels being stolen
might seem like a movie. Well, it’s not. They really were stolen
thanks to one Irishman, Thomas Blood. Born in County Meath in 1618,
Blood came from a good family. His father was a prosperous
blacksmith, and his grandfather was a Member of Parliament. That
said, one might assume he might not get into trouble. When the
English Civil War…
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…
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 make its way around the country after
that. As well as projecting the Crown Jewels on to famous
buildings, the show will cover…
