On 2 June 1953, Queen Elizabeth II took the oath to God and country and crowned at a coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London.
Peers of the realm look on during the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey.
Her Majesty took the Coronation Oath in front of over 8,000 guests including heads of state from the Commonwealth and prime ministers.
After being handed the four symbols of authority: the orb, the sceptre, the rod of mercy and the royal ring made of sapphire and rubies, Dr Geoffrey Fisher, The Archbishop of Canterbury, then set St Edward’s Crown on her head to finalise the ceremony.
Roars of “God Save the Queen” resonated inside and outside of Westminster, gun salutes fired and wild cheering from the crowd commenced.
According to estimates, three million people were along the streets of London trying to get a glimpse of The Queen in the golden state coach as she made her way to Westminster Abbey and back to Buckingham Palace following the ceremony.
Viewed by millions around the globe, BBC prepared what would be their largest broadcast to allow live coverage on both radio and television in 44 different languages. People gathered around television sets, radios and held street parties in honour of their newly crowned Queen.
Those who spent the night on the Mall came away with a memory of a lifetime when Her Majesty, Prince Philip, the Queen Mother, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and other Royal family members appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to greet those gathered.
The day was overcast but that did not stop the RAF from honouring the occasion with a fly past down the Mall. Over at the Victoria Embankment, a fireworks display lit up the London sky.
One may read the Coronation Oath of The Queen on The Official Website of the British Monarchy.
photo credit: Bradford Timeline and Karen Roe via photopin cc
