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Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla to wear Queen Elizabeth II’s Robe of State at the Coronation

Queen Camilla will arrive to be crowned in the same Robe of State used by Queen Elizabeth II at the 1953 Coronation.

Her Majesty has chosen to wear the crimson robe for the start of the ceremony, in keeping with The King’s desire for as much of the event to be sustainable.

The robe is made of crimson velvet and has been conserved by Ede and Ravenscroft. Some minor adjustments have been made to the historic garment for use by Queen Camilla.

The Robe of State is worn for arrival at the Abbey for the Coronation. It is swapped at the end of the service for the Robe of Estate which is made of purple silk velvet.

Queen Camilla will wear a new Robe of Estate for her Coronation. The purple velvet has been embroidered in gold by the Royal School of Needlework.

The design on the new Robe of Estate features flowers and insects to reflect the love of the environment and the natural world shared by both King Charles and Queen Camilla.

There is also a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in the decorations. The flowers embroidered on the robe include lily of the valley which was one of Her Late Majesty’s favourite blooms.

Photo Credit: Buckingham Palace

The floral motifs also include delphiniums, a favourite flower of His Majesty and the flower of July, the month of birth of Her Majesty.

For the first time, bees and a beetle are represented on the Robe of Estate to reflect a devotion to the natural world.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be crowned on May 6th 2023 at Westminster Abbey.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.