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…
King Charles III has often been compared
to his great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII. Both ascended the
throne after their mother’s enjoyed record-breaking reigns, and at
the time of each king’s ascension, they both held the record for
longest-serving Prince of…
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 coronation that set one of history's most powerful dynasties on the throne
4th May 2023
On the 30th of October in 1485 in
Westminster Abbey the Tudor dynasty officially began with the
coronation of King Henry VII. His reign had begun two months
earlier on a battle field but it was cemented and celebrated two
months later in the ancient walls of Westminster Abbey. By taking
the throne, he brought to an end the War of the Roses. He had
beaten Richard III who had become king in 1483…
Giant screens have been put up around the
UK to show the Coronation. Up to 100,000 people are expected to see
the ceremony on these screens. In London, there are three giant
viewing areas at Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James’ Park while
over fifty other areas…
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…
There have only been a handful of queen
regnants in Britain’s history. Queen Elizabeth II was the most
recent, having reigned a historic 70 years, but 400 years before
her reign began, the first queen regnant was crowned: Queen Mary I.
The eldest daughter of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of
Aragon, Mary Tudor, lived a tumultuous life. Born as a legitimate
heir, then named…
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…
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. Edward’s Crown into the hushed
air of Westminster Abbey ahead of the Coronation, he heralded a
moment in royal history…
