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The Coronation of His Majesty

 

This year marks a historic moment in time with the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. RPHS are taking this opportunity to learn about what would be for many, a once-in-a-lifetime moment in history.  

The ceremony on Saturday 6th May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London, will see His Majesty The King crowned alongside Her Majesty The Queen Consort.  

For the last 900 years, the English coronation ceremony has usually taken place at Westminster Abbey. The service is conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, as it has almost always been since the Norman Conquest in 1066. 

What is a Coronation?  

A coronation is the formal investiture of a monarch of their regal powers. It is a grand, celebratory event in which the monarch is presented with royal ceremonial objects, such as the Crown Jewels, and it is where the crown is physically placed atop the monarch’s head, in front of thousands of very important guests.

While the objects used in each monarch’s coronation may have changed from time to time, the way the coronation of monarchs has taken place has remained nearly the same for almost 1,000 years. 

This year, we will bear witness to the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III – the first coronation of a monarch to take place in the United Kingdom since that of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.  

King Charles III 

At the age of 74, King Charles III will become the oldest British monarch to accede to the throne. For most of us, this is first change of a monarch any of us have experienced in our lives. Many changes occur when the crown is passed on – especially in the UK! The King’s image will be added to our coins, our banknotes and a new royal cypher for the King must be designed and embossed on post boxes, flags, uniforms and so much more.  

A Cause for Celebration! 

Although Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation was televised, only  few could view it in colour.  For most it was in black and white. So, with the advances in technology since 1953; with the Internet, mobile phones and streaming services, drone cameras, top-quality audio recording equipment, the Coronation of King Charles III is going to be unlike any before it in the history of the world. The world will be watching, in real time, as the new king is crowned.

More details about the ceremony are available on the royal.uk website