Prince george and the pages of honour accompany charles as he prepares to meet his destiny

T he State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry sounded a rousing fanfare to announce the arrival of Their Majesties at Westminster Abbey’s Great West Door, which was adorned with a majestic display of tall yew topiary and a meadow of the British wildflowers – cowslips, primroses and violets – so loved by the monarch and his wife.

In accordance with tradition, they wore two different sets of coronation robes during the service – the Robes of State and the Robes of Estate – and the royal couple were resplendent in each.

Draped elegantly over His Majesty’s ensemble, which featured his Royal Navy full ceremonial tailcoat, was the King’s crimson velvet Robe of State, which was worn by George VI at his coronation in 1937.

The Queen was a vision of regal serenity in her own crimson velvet robe, originally made for Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. She wore it over an exquisite ivory silk gown designed by a favourite couturier, Bruce Oldfield.

Featuring delicate garlands of wildflowers from fields and hedgerows, such as daisy chains, forget-me-nots, celandine and scarlet pimpernel, the dress represented the King and Queen’s affection for nature and the British countryside, as also expressed in their elaborate invitation to the event.

UNITING THE NATIONS

In a stylish nod to Camilla’s new role and to reflect all four nations of the UK, the front hem and the cuffs of each sleeve were embroidered with symbolic flower emblems: a rose for England, thistle for Scotland, daffodil for Wales and shamrock for Northern Ireland.

There was a playful detail, too – two little dogs embroidered in gold on the skirt, perhaps inspired by her beloved rescue Jack Russells, Bluebell and Beth.

Patiently awaiting their arrival were the royal couple’s eight pages of honour, whose important role was to carry their robes as they walked up the abbey’s nave.

Taking a prominent place among them in attendance on his grandfather was Prince George, the nine-year-old second in line to the throne, who momentarily bit his lip nervously but rose to the occasion of fulfilling his task with aplomb as his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, proudly looked on from their front-row seats alongside eight-year-old Princess Charlotte and little brother Prince Louis, five.

IMPORTANT ROLE

Joining him in the ceremonial task were Nicholas Barclay, 13, grandson of Sarah Tr