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 rites of the Coronation. As the ceremonial
roles were announced, Petty Officer Taylor said she was ”deeply
honoured and…
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…
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 position as head of the Church of England.
The orb weighs 1.32 kg (3lbs.) and is bejeweled with bands of nine
emeralds, 18…
Why one part of Westminster Abbey was specially designed for coronations
26th April 2023
For those who have toured London’s
Westminster Abbey, you might notice a particularly spacious area.
Or maybe you’ve seen it during other royal events at The Abbey on
TV such as the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, or the
funeral of Her Late Majesty…
It was a wedding that changed the course
of royal history. When Albert, Duke of York married Lady Elizabeth
Bowes-Lyon on April 26th 1923 at Westminster Abbey, a partnership
that would prove vital to the very survival of the British Monarchy
was cemented. The couple, and…
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…
