A country robbed of pomp by the war had a much-needed morale boost when she was crowned in June 1953 in a magnificent ceremony.
But 70 years later, King Charles III’s next coronation is anticipated to be a much diminished event in Westminster Abbey that will forever seal his wife’s position in history.
Although the service is not anticipated to take place until next spring, it will still happen considerably sooner than the Queen’s own 16-month delay after her accession to the throne.
With modern Britain very different to the society in 1953, the crowning will reflect the religious and cultural diversity of the country and will mark a significant departure from the crowning of his mother – pictured in her full regalia – which reflected the nation and empire of the time
With modern Britain very different to society in 1953, the coronation will reflect the religious and cultural diversity of the country and will mark a significant departure from the crowning of his mother – pictured in her full regalia – which reflected the nation and empire of the time
And it is likely to be significantly shorter and cheaper than in the past – setting the tone for Charles’s reign.
It is estimated that the 1953 coronation cost £1.57million – the equivalent of £46million today.
The King has already made it clear he favours a leaner, more modern monarchy and his coronation service will reflect that, sources say. With the country facing a recession and renewed pressure on the public purse, his wish to see a radically streamlined service is likely to be widely applauded.
Nevertheless, planning will be meticulous, with every detail considered. The coronation is rich in religious significance – a solemn and sacred ritual where the new sovereign is anointed and takes their oaths before God and their country.
Details of the plans for the coronation of Charles were leaked to The Mail on Sunday in February after the Queen revealed it was her ‘sincere wish’ that Camilla would be known as queen consort when, ‘in the fullness of time’, her son succeeded her. A source was reported to have said that it would be ‘shorter, sooner, smaller, less expensive and more representative of different community groups and faiths’. The date of the ceremony, which will be a public holiday, will be confirmed in the coming months.
With modern Britain very different to society in 1953, the coronation will reflect the religious and cultural diversity of the country and will mark a significant departure from the crowning of his mother – pictured in her full regalia – which reflected the nation and empire of the time.
While his wife was being crowned, Prince Philip, who was the male consort and hence not eligible to be crowned, bowed before her and promised to be her “liege man of life and limb.”
The last time a queen consort was crowned was in 1937 as Elizabeth, the mother of the current monarch, was seated next to George VI. More than 8,000 nobles were taken by carriage to Westminster Abbey for Elizabeth II’s coronation, where many of them were seated on temporary seats. There were more than 40,000 soldiers in the march.
The first-ever broadcast ceremony lasted for more than three hours.
Seventy years later, however, it is anticipated that the number of visitors to Westminster Abbey will be capped at 2,000, and the ceremony would be “much shorter since you have to remember Charles’s age,” a source added. The future King will be 74 years old when he is due to be crowned, and his wife will be close to 76.
Although certain parts of the ceremony will be changed to better represent “modern-day Britain,” it will still be an Anglican service, and the vows are not anticipated to alter.
In addition to having a quarter as many guests as in 1953, there will also be fewer members of the Royal Family.