Talking point
As we look forward to the Coronation, joint chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces Tracy Borman outlines the traditions around crowning a monarch
On 6 May, the eyes of the world will be on Westminster Abbey when King Charles III is crowned alongside Camilla, The Queen Consort. It will be a truly historic moment: the first coronation that most people will remember. As the day draws closer, speculation is reaching fever pitch about what it will be like.
Buckingham Palace has said that the event will be ‘rooted in long-standing traditions and pageantry’. And there are certainly plenty of those to draw on. Coronations have been the high point of British royal pomp and pageantry for well over 1,000 years. These glittering occasions celebrate a new reign and also symbolise the monarch’s headship of the state and church.
Although there has been incredible change over the centuries, the crowning of a new king or queen has remained surprisingly constant. The ceremony followed at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 was almost exactly the same as that used for King Edgar in 973. It begins with the new monarch being presented to the congregation by the presiding cleric (who since 1154 has always been the Archbishop of Canterbury). Next comes the oath, when the monarch swears to uphold the law and the church. The most sacred part of the ceremony follows, when the sovereign is anointed with holy oil. Finally, they are invested with the royal insignia (robe, ring, orb, sceptre) and crowned.
Other aspects of this ancient service have changed little over the centuries. Handel’s rousing anthem Zadok The Priest, which he composed for George II’s coronation in 1727, has been played at every coronation since. The dazzling Gold State Coach, first built for George III in 1762 and used at every coronation since that of his son, George IV, will carry The King and Queen Consort to Westminster Abbey. The coach might be lavish but it’s not all that practical. Measuring seven metres in length and weighing in at four tonnes, it takes eight horses to draw it and can only ever go at walking pace. On the day of Elizabeth II’s coronation, Royal Mews staff strapped a hot water bottle under the seat because it was so chilly.
TWO CROWNS FOR THE KING
The Crown Jewels are, of course, an essential part of the coronation. King Charles III will be crowned with St Edward’s Crown, as per tradition. The crown was made for Charles II in 1661, who commissioned a new set of Crown Jewels to replace those melted down after the execution of his father, Charles I, in 1649. Inspired by the crown of the 11th-century king, Edward the Confessor, St Edward’s Crown is made up of a solid gold frame set with rubies, sapphires and other precious stones.
