With traditions rooted in the past, May 6 heralded the start of a fresh chapter in the enduring story of the monarchy
WORDS: CLAIRE SAUL PICTURES: SHUTTERSTOCK, ALAMY, GETTY IMAGES
The rain that greeted King Charles III and Queen Camilla as they left Buckingham Palace for their coronation was perhaps a good omen, repeating the poor weather experienced by Queen Elizabeth II.
Our first sight of the royal couple was on their 1.4-mile route to Westminster Abbey in the magnificent Diamond Jubilee State Coach, the most modern coach in the fleet at the Royal Mews.
Yet it can also claim more integrated history than all the other carriages combined, incorporating as it does materials sourced from over 100 British historic sites and organisations. Among them are elements from Isaac Newton’s apple tree, fabric from a dress of Florence Nightingale’s and oak from Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory. Inside, the seat handrails are from the late queen’s beloved Royal Yacht Britannia, while the window frames and panels include elements from Henry VIII’s flagship The Mary Rose and the Antarctic bases of Scott and Shackleton. Set into a panel below the pale gold silk brocade seats is a piece of the famous Stone of Scone.
Put To The Sword
Impressing the nation with her strength, poise and impeccable style was Penny Mordaunt, in her capacity as Lord President of the Privy Council. She held aloft the 1.22m, 3.6kg Sword of State for an extended period during the service before exchanging it for the jewelled Sword of Offering. It was the first time a woman has performed this role at a coronation.
The 17th century Sword of State is carried before the monarch on occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament. It is the same sword used for the King’s investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969.
Sacred Ceremony
At the most sacred part of the ceremony, King Charles was anointed with consecrated holy oil, made from olives from the Mount of Olives. The location has Biblical significance and also personal meaning to the king; the Monastery of Mary Magdalene which provided the olives is also the burial site of his grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece. The holy oil was cruelty-free, containing no animal extracts.
Queen Elizabeth II had also broken with convention in 1953, unable to follow the centuries-old tradition of using the same oil as her predecessor; the vial of oil which had anointed her father was destroyed in a World War II bombing raid.
2023’s anointing was conducted behind a screen which drew design inspi
