Charles III wanted a “modern” coronation
The coronation of King Charles will tie in with many traditions dating back to the 10th century. If certain elements are immutable, the new sovereign has not hidden his desire to modernize the ceremony. Here’s what we know about his plans for the coronation of his mother Elizabeth II in 1953.
- Fewer guests and a shorter ceremony
Around 2,000 people will attend the coronation at Westminster Abbey, up from 8,000 seventy years ago. This reduction is part of Charles’ stated desire to “rationalize” the monarchy, for example by reducing the number of active members of the royal family to seven. The duration of the ceremony must also be reduced from almost three hours in 1953 to just over an hour.
At the coronation of Elizabeth II, almost all women of the royal family or nobility wore a tiara. The dress code for Charles’ coronation has not yet been confirmed, but it appears that women will wear hats or headgear, with the exception of women of the highest rank in the royal family.
- Less dressed lords
Limited seats for MPs and Lords, Members of the Upper House of Parliament, will be allocated by vote. In 1953, more than 800 MPs and Lords – Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Barons, who inherited their seats and titles – attended in long purple velvet coats. The inheritance of titles in the House of Lords was reformed in 1999 and this time its members were asked not to wear this particular dress. They can instead opt for the one they use for the sovereign’s speech in Parliament or regular clothing.
Camilla’s crown will be the one worn by Queen Mary, Charles’ great-grandmother, in 1911.
The oil used for the anointing is free from animal products and contains olive oil flavored with sesame, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin, amber and orange blossom. Traditionally, it contained ambergris from a forest arm.
Orthodox Greeks sing for the first time at a coronation in honor of Charles’ father, Prince Philip, a member of the Greek royal family. The Byzantine Chant Ensemble, led by Alexander Lingas, an orthodox music teacher, was formed especially for the occasion. The Ascension Choir will also be the first gospel choir to sing for a coronation.
For the first time, girls among the Scholars, the King’s Scholars from the very select Westminster School, will attend the ceremony. In 1953, the institution accepted only boys. A group of students will cheer for the monarch in Latin: Vivat Rex Carolus! (“Long Live King Charles!”)
Elizabeth traveled there and back in the ornate but uncomfortable 260-year-old Gold State Coach. Charles and Camilla will only use it for their return. For the outward journey, they opted for the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach, equipped with shock absorbers and air conditioning. They will also make a much shorter return journey (two kilometers) than Elizabeth’s, which took two hours to travel more than seven kilometers.
Compared to the 29,000 members of the armed forces who attended in 1953, the retreat to Buckingham Palace will be less impressive. Almost 4,000 soldiers, including musicians, will accompany the royal couple.