List of participants in the coronation procession of Elizabeth II facts for kids

The procession for Elizabeth II's coronation was a grand parade through the streets of London, England. It happened on June 2, 1953, before the Queen was officially crowned at Westminster Abbey. Many important people from across the Commonwealth of Nations took part, walking in a special order. This parade showed off the history and traditions of the British monarchy.

The Royal Family's Grand Entrance

The Queen's family played a big part in the procession. They walked in a specific order, showing their importance. Each member had special attendants, like pages who carried their coronets (small crowns) or ladies who helped with their long dresses.

• The Princess Royal was there, with her train (the long part of her dress) carried by the Honourable Mrs Forbes.
• Prince Richard of Gloucester and The Duchess of Gloucester also joined. The Duchess's coronet was carried by the Earl of Dalkeith.
• The Duchess of Kent and her children, Princess Alexandra, Prince Michael, and The Duke of Kent, were part of the procession. The Duke of Kent's coronet was carried by his page, the Honourable Henry Herbert.
• Other royal relatives, like Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone and Lady Patricia Ramsay, also walked in the parade.

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret

These two important royal ladies had their own special place in the procession, surrounded by their household staff.

Princess Margaret, the Queen's younger sister, walked with her train carried by Iris Peake. Her coronet was carried by her page, Albemarle Bowes-Lyon.

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the Queen's mother, followed. Her long train was carried by the Dowager Duchess of Northumberland, who was her Mistress of the Robes. Other ladies and gentlemen from her household also walked with her.

Important Officials and Church Leaders

Many other important people took part in the procession, representing different parts of the government and the church.

Church Leaders

Leaders from various churches, including the Church of Scotland and different Christian groups, were present. They showed the religious importance of the coronation. The Dean of Westminster and other church officials from Westminster Abbey also walked in the parade.

Officers of Orders of Knighthood

People who held important positions in special royal orders, like the Order of the British Empire and the Order of the Garter, were also part of the procession. These orders are ways the Queen recognizes people for their service.

Heralds and Pursuivants

Heralds and Pursuivants are officials who deal with coats of arms and royal ceremonies. They wore colorful uniforms and helped guide the procession, making sure everyone was in the correct place.

National Symbols: The Standards

A very visual part of the procession was the carrying of the "Standards." These are special flags that represent different countries and parts of the United Kingdom.

• Flags from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) were carried. These showed the unity of the Commonwealth of Nations.
• The Union Standard (the flag of the UK) was carried by Captain John Lindley Marmion Dymoke, who is the Queen's Champion.
• The Standard of the Principality of Wales was also carried, representing Wales.
• Special standards showing parts of the Royal Arms (the Queen's official symbol) were also carried.
• The Royal Standard (the Queen's personal flag) was carried by Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, a famous military leader.

The Royal Household and Key Figures

Many members of the Queen's personal staff and other high-ranking officials were part of the procession.

• The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, the Treasurer of the Household, and the Comptroller of the Household were present.
• The Keeper of the Jewel House carried some of the important Crown Jewels, like the Ring and the Sword for the Offering.
• Four Knights of the Garter had the special role of holding the canopy over the Queen during her anointing ceremony inside the Abbey.
• The Lord Chamberlain of the Household and the Lord Steward of the Household were also in the procession, showing their important roles in managing the royal household.

Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth

The leaders of the different countries in the Commonwealth were a very important part of the procession. This showed the Queen's role as Head of the Commonwealth.

• The Prime Minister of Canada, Louis Stephen Saint-Laurent, walked in the parade.
• The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, Robert Gordon Menzies, was also there.
• Other Prime Ministers included those from New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, and Ceylon.
• Finally, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Winston Spencer-Churchill, a very famous leader, walked in the procession.

Archbishops and the Lord Chancellor

These high-ranking officials had key roles in the coronation ceremony itself.

• The Archbishop of York, Cyril Forster Garbett, walked with his cross carried before him.
• The Lord High Chancellor, Gavin Turnbull Simonds, was also in the procession. His coronet was carried by his page, Andrew Parker Bowles.
• The most important church figure was the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Francis Fisher. He was the one who would crown the Queen inside Westminster Abbey. His cross was also carried in front of him.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Place

The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen's husband, had a very special and important place in the procession. He walked just before the Queen.

• He was accompanied by members of his own household, including his Equerry, Treasurer, and Private Secretary.
• His coronet was carried by his page, Nigel Grier-Rees.
• Several Heralds also walked with the Duke of Edinburgh, marking his important position.

Bearers of the Regalia and Great Officers of State

This part of the procession was very grand, as it included the people carrying the Regalia – the special objects used in the coronation.

• Saint Edward's Staff and the Sceptre with the Cross were carried by important noblemen.
• Two Golden Spurs were also carried, symbolizing knighthood and chivalry.
• Three important swords were carried: the Sword of Temporal Justice, Curtana (the Sword of Mercy), and the Sword of Spiritual Justice. Each was carried by a Duke or Earl.
• Other important officials, like the Lord Mayor of London (carrying the Crystal Sceptre) and the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, were also part of this section.
• The Lord Great Chamberlain, the Lord High Steward of Ireland, and the High Constable of Scotland were among the "Great Officers of State" who walked in this part of the procession.
• The Earl Marshal, Bernard Marmaduke Fitzalan-Howard, who was in charge of organizing the entire ceremony, walked with his pages.
• The Sword of State was carried by the Marquess of Salisbury.
• The Lord High Constable of England, Field Marshal Alan Francis Brooke, also walked with his pages.
• The most important Regalia were carried near the end: the Sceptre with the Dove, St. Edward's Crown (the actual crown used for the crowning), and the Orb.
• Finally, the Paten, Bible, and Chalice (religious items) were carried by the Bishops of London, Norwich, and Winchester.

The Queen's Arrival

The most anticipated part of the procession was the arrival of The Queen herself.

She wore her beautiful Royal Robe of crimson velvet, decorated with ermine fur and gold lace. On her head, she wore a sparkling Diadem of precious stones.

• The Bishop of Bath and Wells and the Bishop of Durham walked beside her.
• Her very long train was carried by her Mistress of the Robes, Mary Cavendish, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire.
• Six Maids of Honour also helped carry the Queen's train. These young ladies were:
  • Lady Jane Vane-Tempest-Stewart
  • Lady Mary Baillie-Hamilton
  • Lady Anne Coke
  • Lady Nancy Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby
  • Lady Moyra Hamilton
  • Lady Rosemary Spencer-Churchill
• The coronet of the Mistress of the Robes was carried by her page, Peregrine Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington.
• Other important members of the Royal Household, like the Master of the Horse and the Private Secretary to the Queen, also walked near Her Majesty.

The entire procession was a magnificent display of history, tradition, and the many people who support the British monarchy.

Images for kids

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  Flag of Ceylon (1951–1972)

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  Flag of Pakistan

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  Flag of South Africa (1928-1994)

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  Coronation Standard of New Zealand

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  Coronation Standard of Australia

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  1937 and 1953 Coronation Standard of Canada

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  Flag of the United Kingdom

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  Flag of Gwynedd

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  Royal Standard of the United Kingdom