The symbolism on the invitation to the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla

The invitation to the Coronation has been revealed and this piece of history is packed with symbolism.

The invite, sent by the Earl Marshal by the command of The King, is about to wings its way to 2,000 guests who will watch the crowning of Charles III on May 6th 2023.

Those opening this all important envelope will find an ornate card within, decorated with wildflowers and wildlife, and each motif has a very special meaning.

At the top are the coats of arms of King Charles and Queen Camilla with Her Majesty’s now enclosed by the Garter after she was installed as a Lady of the Order of the Garter in 2022. At the bottom of the card is a Green Man, an old British symbol which denotes new birth and spring. It has been chosen to mark a new reign but it has links back to ancient folklore and was often used to decorate churches.

The Green Man on the Coronation invitation is made up of oak, hawthorn and ivy and decorated with the flowers of the countries of the United Kingdom – the English rose, the Scottish thistle, the Welsh daffodil and the shamrock for Northern Ireland. On top of the Green Man’s crown is an acorn.

Within the floral display around the invitation are a lion, a unicorn and a bear, taken from the coats of arms of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. All three are heraldic devices – the lion signifies royalty while a boar shows courage. The unicorn on a royal coat of arms is shown in chains to signify that only a monarch can overcome the mythical beast.

The border of the invitation is meant to represent a wildflower meadow. Amongst the blooms are wild strawberries and dog roses, lily of the valley and cornflowers and bluebells, following the red, white and blue colours of the Coronation emblem. The four floral symbols of the four nations of the United Kingdom feature as does wildlife including ladybirds and wrens. Each flower is shown in a cluster of three to symbolise King Charles being the third of that name to rule.

There are also two poignant nods to times past on the invitation. Rosemary, a herb of remembrance is included, as is a robin, tying in with the saying that ‘robins appear when loved ones are near”. Both are used to recall those who are gone and who are missed.

The invitation has been designed by heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator, Andrew Jamieson, a Brother of the Art Workers’ Guild of which King Charles III is an Honorary Member. It was painted in watercolour and gouache and every invite will be made of recycled card, sprinkled with gold foil detailing.

The guest list hasn’t been revealed yet.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be crowned on May 6th 2023 at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury.