Coronation of Charles III and Camilla facts for kids
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Charles and Camilla on the front balcony of Buckingham Palace
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| Date | 6 May 2023 |
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| Venue | Westminster Abbey |
| Location | London, United Kingdom |
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The coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms took place on 6 May 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Charles acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022, upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.
The religious ceremony, which is structured around an Anglican service of Holy Communion, is highly symbolic. It included Charles being anointed, receiving the coronation regalia, and being crowned, emphasising his spiritual role and secular responsibilities. Representatives of the Church of England and royal family declared their allegiance to him, and the people throughout the Commonwealth realms were invited to do so.
Charles and Camilla's coronation is the first of a British monarch in the 21st century, and the 40th to be held at Westminster Abbey since the coronation of William the Conqueror on 25 December 1066.
Contents
Preparation
Charles III became king immediately upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, at 15:10 BST on Thursday 8 September 2022. He was proclaimed king by the Accession Council of the United Kingdom on Saturday 10 September, which was followed by proclamations in other Commonwealth realms. During Elizabeth's reign planning meetings for Charles's coronation, codenamed "Operation Golden Orb", were held at least once a year, attended by representatives of the government, the Church of England, and Charles's staff.
The date of the coronation was announced on 11 October 2022; the choice of Saturday 6 May 2023 ensured sufficient time to mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II before holding a joyous ceremony.
The coronation is a state event and was funded by the British government. Safety regulations at Westminster Abbey restricted the number of guests to around 2,000. A Coronation Claims Office was established within the Cabinet Office to handle claims to perform a historic or ceremonial role at the coronation. It replaced the Court of Claims. The post of Lord High Constable of England, an historic military office which is now only created for coronations, was given to Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff.
The holy anointing oil which was used in the service was consecrated by Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on 6 March 2023, under the supervision of Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem. It is based on the same formula as that used in the coronation of Elizabeth II, but without animal products such as civet.
Vestments and crowns
In a break with tradition, Charles's vestments were reused from previous coronations instead of being newly made. While it is customary for the supertunica and robe royal to be reused, Charles also wore vestments used by George IV, George V, George VI, and Elizabeth II. Camilla similarly reused vestments, including Elizabeth II's robe of state, but also wore a new robe of estate featuring her cypher, bees, a beetle, and various plants and flowers, including lily of the valley, myrtle, delphinium, lady's mantle, maidenhair fern, and cornflowers.
St Edward's Crown, which was used to crown the King, was removed from the Tower of London in December 2022 for resizing. In February 2023 Queen Mary's Crown, which was used to crown Camilla, was also removed from display for modification work. The crown had been reset with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds and four of its detachable arches had been removed. It was the first time a queen was crowned using another consort's crown since 1727, when Caroline of Ansbach used the Crown of Mary of Modena.
Coronation
The events of the coronation day included a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, the coronation service itself, a procession back to Buckingham Palace, and an appearance by the King and Queen on the palace balcony for a flypast by the Royal Air Force.
The procession into the abbey was led by leaders and representatives from the Bahai, Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Shia and Sunni Muslim, Sikh, and Zoroastrian communities. They were followed by Christian leaders from different denominations. After this the flags of the Commonwealth realms were carried by representatives, accompanied by their governors general and prime ministers. The choir followed.
The King and Queen arrived shortly before 11:00 and formed their own procession. It was led by four peers, who carried heraldic standards displaying the quarterings of the royal coat of arms and the arms of the Principality of Wales. The Lord High Constable of England and the Earl Marshal also took part. Charles and Camilla were each attended by four pages of honour, including Prince George of Wales and Camilla's grandsons. Camilla was also accompanied by two ladies in attendance: her sister, Annabel Elliot, and the Marchioness of Lansdowne. The choir sang Hubert Parry's "I was glad", during which scholars of Westminster School shouted "Vivat Regina Camilla" and "Vivat Rex Carolus" ("Long live Queen Camilla" and "Long live King Charles").
The coronation service contained several distinct elements, ultimately structured around an Anglican service of Holy Communion. Charles and Camilla first proceded into the abbey, then Charles was presented to the people and recognised as monarch. After this Charles took an oath, in which he swore to govern each of his countries according to their respective laws and customs, to administer law and justice with mercy, and to uphold Protestantism in the United Kingdom and protect the Church of England. He proceeded to the altar and stated "The things which I have here before promised I will perform and keep. So help me God." He then was anointed with holy oil, invested with the coronation regalia, and crowned with St Edward's Crown. After this he was enthroned and received the homage of the peerage and the people. Camilla then was anointed and crowned. She was presented with the Queen Consort's Sceptre with Cross and the Queen Consort's Rod with Dove, before sitting on her own throne (originally made for Queen Elizabeth in 1937) beside the King.
This was the first coronation of a consort since that of Queen Elizabeth in 1937.
At the end of the service the King changed into the Imperial State Crown. Charles and Camilla then proceded to the west door of the abbey as the national anthem, "God Save the King", was sung. At the end of the procession the King received a greeting by leaders and representatives from Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, and Buddhist communities.
The official photographer of the coronation was Hugo Burnand, who had previously been the official photographer for Charles and Camilla's wedding in 2005. Eileen Hogan was selected to paint the coronation, and Peter Kuhfeld and Paul Benney were selected to paint the coronation portraits of Charles and Camilla respectively.
The music for the coronation was both traditional and new; twelve new pieces were commissioned for the service, and were used alongside works used at previous coronations. There will be an official coronation album, containing music from the service.
The second procession followed the same route as the first, but in reverse and on a larger scale. The King and Queen were carried in the Gold State Coach, drawn by eight Windsor Grey horses, with other members of the royal family in other vehicles.
The armed forces of the UK, the Commonwealth, and the British Overseas Territories played a significant part. Over 5,000 members of the British Armed Forces and 400 Armed Forces personnel from at least 35 other Commonwealth countries were part of the two processions, and 1,000 more were lining the route. At Buckingham Palace the King and Queen received a royal salute and three cheers from the armed forces, then join the other working members of the royal family on the balcony to review a six-minute flypast of more than 60 aircraft.
Guests
Approximately 2,200 guests had been invited to the coronation, from 203 countries. Invitees included members of the royal family, representatives from the Church of England and other UK faith communities, prominent politicians from the UK and the Commonwealth, and foreign heads of state and royalty.
Public celebrations
Over 3,300 public events and 526 private street parties were registered on the British government's official coronation website, which are scheduled to take place across the UK, the Commonwealth, and various other locations worldwide. Several British High Commissions and embassies around the world will mark the event. Anglican churches around the world will also hold prayers with special music from the coronation. A public holiday was declared in the UK on 8 May to commemorate the coronation.
The government of the United Kingdom will also issue coronation medals to 400,000 individuals, including those involved in supporting the coronation, front line emergency and prison services workers, and members of the British Armed Forces. The medals are made of nickel silver and plated in nickel and feature an effigy of the King and Queen, on a red, white and blue ribbon.
The Royal Mint released a new collection of coins, including 50p and £5 coin depicting the King wearing the Tudor Crown. Royal Mail issued four stamps to mark the King's coronation, as it did for the coronations of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. The company will also apply a special postmark from 28 April to 10 May.
The Transport for London voice announcement was replaced by the voice announcements recorded by the King and Queen on 5 May, and will be used on railway station and all London Underground stations throughout the coronation weekend and bank holiday on Monday. The London North Eastern Railway will also name its daily 11:00 passenger train from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley the Carolean Express, starting on 6 May.
Natural England will mark the coronation with the creation of the King's Series of National Nature Reserves, which will see five major national nature reserves named every year for the next five years.
The Royal Collection Trust has released official coronation memorabilia to mark the occasion. In February 2023, Buckingham Palace announced it would temporarily relax the "rules governing the commercial use of royal photographs and official insignia" to allow other groups to produce coronation memorabilia. Companies that have produced coronation memorabilia include Emma Bridgewater, Jan Constantine, Merrythought, and Royal Crown Derby. Greene King will produce a special brew to mark the coronation and auction several unopened crates of a special brew created for the cancelled coronation of Edward VIII in 1937, with proceeds from the auction going to the The Prince's Trust.
Coverage
The BBC suspended the television licence fee for the coronation weekend, so venues may screen the coronation on 6 May, and the coronation concert the next day, without needing to buy a television licence. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced that the event will be shown on big screens across 57 locations in the UK, including in Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park.
Media outlets in the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand and the United States broadcast the coronation live. Several broadcasters in those countries will provide coverage on the occasion throughout the coronation weekend.
Removal of the Stone of Scone
In October 2022, an online petition was signed by hundreds of individuals, calling for the Stone of Scone to remain in Edinburgh Castle for the coronation ceremony. Alex Salmond, the leader of the Alba Party and former first minister of Scotland, suggested in March 2023 that the Scottish Government ought to prevent the stone from being taken to London, despite Historic Environment Scotland having already announced the move.
Despite this objection, the Stone of Scone was moved on 28 April 2023 to London for the coronation. It left Edinburgh Castle with the first minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf in attendance as the keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, as well as the Lord Lyon King of Arms.
See also
In Spanish: Coronación de Carlos III del Reino Unido y Camila para niños
Images for kids
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Charles and Camilla in 2019
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A postbox topper to mark the coronation in Goddington, south London
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The Canadian coronation emblem
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The Stone of Scone is carried out from Edinburgh Castle in preparation for its use in the Coronation
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tA Union Jack defaced with the coronation emblem in the High Street at Bexley, London
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Decorations placed at a storefront to mark the coronation
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As of 4 May 2023;
Countries with representatives that have confirmed their attendances -
The Stone of Scone is carried out from Edinburgh Castle in preparation for its use in the Coronation
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Flag bearers and leaders from the Commonwealth realms prior to their procession into the abbey
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The King and Queen returning from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach
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The King and Queen and other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace
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A Coronation Big Lunch held in London
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Staff from the British Embassy in Washington D.C. volunteer at the Capital Area Food Bank on 8 May as a part of the Big Help Out initiative
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Signage for a store advertising the sale of coronation memorabilia in Weymouth
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The ballroom of Government House, Perth during an open house to mark the coronation. A group poses next to a photo portrait of Charles and Camilla in the background.
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Charles's Canadian royal standard, unveiled at a ceremony in Ottawa to mark the coronation.
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The interior arch of Princes' Gates illuminated in emerald green to mark the coronation
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A coronation fair hosted by the government of Ontario at Queen's Park in Toronto
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A reporter with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation speaking with a spectator on the coronation procession route
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