Queen Camilla was crowned moments after her husband, King Charles III, in a glittering ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Dressed in a simple white gown, attended by her grandsons and grandnephew, her sister, and close friend, the moment marked the culmination of her 18 years as a royal consort.
The Archbishop of Canterbury anointed Queen Camilla and prayed for her, saying “Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness; hear our prayer this day for thy servant Camilla, whom in thy name, and with all devotion, we consecrate our Queen; make her strong in faith and love, defend her on every side, and guide her in truth and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Next, the Queen Consort’s Ring was presented to Queen Camilla by the Keeper of the Jewel House, and as she laid her hand upon it, the Archbishop said: “Receive this Ring, a symbol of royal dignity and a sign of the covenant sworn this day.”
Then came the moment of crowning. Queen Camilla chose to be crowned with an existing Queen Consort’s Crown—the first time in recent history, and a move billed as one of sustainability.
Queen Mary’s Crown, made in 1911 by noted royal jeweller Garrard’s, was the crown chosen by Queen Camilla. Slight modifications were made to the crown, notably, the removal of the Koh-i-Nûr diamond, and the resetting of the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds, personal jewels from the late Queen Elizabeth II’s collection.
As the Archbishop crowned Queen Camilla, he said: “May thy servant Camilla, who wears this crown, be filled by thine abundant grace and with all princely virtues; reign in her heart, O King of love, that, being certain of thy protection, she may be crowned with thy gracious favour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
After her crowning, Queen Camilla was presented with the Queen’s Sceptre and the Queen’s Rod by the Right Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Chartres and The Right Reverend Rose Hudson Wilkin, Bishop of Dover.
As she touched them both, the Archbishop of Canterbury said: “Receive the Royal Sceptre. Receive the Rod of equity and mercy. May the Spirit guide you in wisdom and grace, that, by your service and ministry, justice and mercy may be seen in all the earth.”
With this, Queen Camilla then moved to join her husband, enthroned as Queen.
In the hours ahead of the coronation ceremony, the British Royal Family’s website updated its sections on Queen Camilla, dropping ‘Queen Consort’ as her title and replacing it simply with ‘Queen.’
