Stages Of A Coronation Explained

What happens during the coronation?

The ceremony traditionally features music, prayers, and hymns in several parts:

Recognition and Oath

The people in the Abbey are asked if they recognise the new monarch and respond with 'God Save The King’ or ‘God Save The Queen’. The monarch then signs an oath where they promise to rule according to the law and with mercy. The monarch is traditionally wearing the crimson Robe of State.

Following the oath, the monarch sits in the Coronation Chair, made for King Edward I in 1300. The chair historically housed the Stone of Scone, also known as "the Stone of Destiny". This Stone is an ancient object associated with the kings of Scotland. Since 1996 it has been kept at Edinburgh Castle unless required at a coronation.

The Coronation Chair used during the ceremony (Painting RCIN 921443) and St Edward's Crown used at the moment of crowning (RCIN 31700). ©

Anointing

The monarch is then anointed using the Coronation Spoon with holy oil contained in the Ampulla. The Coronation Spoon is the most ancient item of Coronation regalia.

The choir traditionally sings Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’ during this most sacred moment of the coronation.

Investiture and Crowning

The anointing is followed by dressing of the monarch in the spectacular robe of cloth of gold called the Supertunica and the longer Imperial Mantle. The monarch is then presented with other items from the Coronation Regalia.

These includes the gold spurs, the jewelled Sword of Offering and the Armills. The Armills are gold bracelets representing sincerity and wisdom. The monarch also receives the Sovereign’s Orb, a gold globe topped by a cross, as well as a ring and two sceptres.

The ceremony culminates with the placing of the magnificent St Edward’s Crown on the monarch’s head. The monarch then changes into the robe of purple velvet and wears the lighter Imperial State Crown for the rest of the service.

The Coronation of Queen Victoria in Westminster Abbey (RCIN 405409) ©

Homage

This is the final part of the coronation. The new monarch moves to the throne chair and senior officials of the United Kingdom pay homage to the newly crowned monarch. They place their hands on the monarch’s knees, swear an allegiance, touch the crown and kiss the monarch's right hand.

In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband Prince Philip was the first to pay homage to his wife, pledging his service to her.

Procession

The coronation day starts with a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach. This coach has been used at every coronation since George IV's in 1821.

After the service there is traditionally a procession through the streets of London. This allows as many people as possible to see the newly crowned monarch.

Queen Victoria's coronation procession to Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach (RCIN 750853) ©

Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation

Queen Elizabeth II was the most recent British monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey, following her succession. The queen succeeded to the throne on 6 February 1952 on the death of her father, King George VI.

The coronation took place on 2 June 1953 and it was the first to be broadcast live on television. Twenty-seven million people in the United Kingdom tuned in to watch the ceremony.

 

“I am sure that this, my Coronation, is not the symbol of a power and a splendour that are gone but a declaration of our hopes for the future, and for the years I may, by God's Grace and Mercy, be given to reign and serve you as your Queen.”

Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day, June 2 1953.

 

 

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey (RCIN 2002627) ©

Information: https://www.rct.uk/