The crowning of King Charles III and Queen Camilla is set to take place on the 6th May 2023, and is an event that is steeped in royal history.
Here are the most important royal articles you can expect to see during the coronation…
The Diamond Jubilee State Coach
The morning of the coronation will see King Charles III and Queen Camilla being transported to Westminster Abbey through the King’s Procession. They will arrive for the coronation service in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which was built to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee anniversary; celebrating her sixty-year reign in 2012. This coach is more modern than others as it is equipped with air conditioning, electric windows and heating. First used in 2014, the Diamond Jubilee State Coach is used regularly by the royal family, especially for the annual State Opening of Parliament.
St Edward’s Crown
The St Edward’s Crown is one of the most important parts of the ceremony, as it is only worn during the moment of crowning. The crown was remade in 1661 for King Charles II’s coronation, with the original crown dating back to King Edward the Confessor. The St Edward’s Crown is one of the heaviest crowns, weighing 4.9 pounds, and features four crosses-pattée, four fleurs-de-lis, two arches and is topped with an orb and a cross. With a solid gold frame, the crown contains numerous precious stones such as sapphires, topazes and rubies.
Queen Mary’s Crown
Queen Mary’s Crown will be worn by Camilla during the coronation. It is a consort crown which was originally commissioned for Queen consort Mary of Teck for the 1911 coronation of King George V. The crown, designed similarly to Queen Alexandra’s Crown, is silver-gilt, features 2,200 diamonds and has eight detachable arches. This will be the first time in history that an existing crown is used for the coronation of a consort, however, it is currently undergoing minor changes, such as four of the detachable arches being removed and the Koh-i-Noor diamond being replaced.
Imperial State Crown
Also known as the Crown of State, the Imperial State Crown will be worn by King Charles III to process out of Westminster Abbey once the coronation ceremony has finished. The crown was commissioned in 1937 for the coronation of King George VI and is used for various royal occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament. Made with a solid gold frame, it features 2,868 diamonds and numerous sapphires, emeralds and pearls. The crown was designed similarly to Queen Victoria’s crown in 1838, and the orb and cross which sits on the top was transferred directly from the original.
The Gold State Coach
Once the coronation ceremony is completed, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will make their way back to Buckingham Palace in The Coronation Procession. They will travel in the Gold State Coach, one of the oldest royal coaches which was commissioned by Francis Rawdon-Hastings in 1760. First used to travel to the State Opening of Parliament in 1762 by King George III, this coach has been used for every Coronation since King William IV in 1831. The coach is one of the heaviest in the royal collection, and requires eight horses which can only be pulled at a walking pace. It features paintings of Roman gods and goddesses, as well as three sculptured cherubs which represent England, Scotland and Ireland on the roof.
The 2023 King Charles III Coronation Silver One Crown has been released to celebrate this remarkable event, and it is the first of its kind to carry the Coronation Emblem. Secure yours HERE.