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Contents
What are British coronations?
The coronation of British monarchs takes place at Westminster Abbey and is an initiation rite in which the monarch of the United Kingdom is formally invested with regalia and crowned. Coronations aren’t held for several months after the death of the previous monarch. This is because coronations are considered extremely joyous occasions. The current ruler of England, King Charles III, was crowned in Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023.
Westminster Abbey historyBritish coronations at Westminster Abbey
There are several elements involved during the coronations of every British Monarch, each with its own significance.
Location
The last Anglo-Saxon monarch, Harold II, was coronated in 1066 at Westminster Abbey. Ever since, this location has been preserved for conducting all coronations. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben stand directly across the street from Westminster Abbey. Symbolically, this shows how the Sovereign and the Parliament work together in the country’s political affairs.
Coronation Chair
The Coronation Chair was built for Edward I between 1297 and 1300 and is one of the most valuable artifacts to survive the Middle Ages. It included the ‘Stone of Scone’, seized after defeating the Scots in 1296. Most English monarchs have been crowned here since the 14th century, the most recent being King Charles III in 2023. The Stone of Scone is now at Edinburgh Castle.
Liber Regalis
The Liber Regalis, or Royal Book, was written in 1382 and explains the order of the Christian coronation. Before being crowned, the monarch is recognized by the people (Recognition), makes promises to their subjects and God (Oath), is anointed with holy oil (Anointing), and receives royal regalia like a sword and an orb (Investing), after which, the monarch takes the throne (Enthronement).
Participants
The Archbishop of Canterbury traditionally officiates coronations, and in his absence, a royally-appointed bishop takes his place. The ceremony is attended by Great Officers of State, the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, Governors-General and Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth, Governors of the British Crown, Heads of State of dependent nations, and nobility. Dignitaries from other countries are also invited.
Clothing
Before the procession, the sovereign dons a crimson surcoat. A simple plain white cloth is worn at the time of anointing. The supertunica is a long gold silk coat with wide-flowing sleeves that reaches the ankles. It is lined in rose silk, trimmed in gold lace, and fastened with a sword belt woven with national symbols. A purple surcoat is worn during the final part when the Imperial State Crown is bestowed on the Monarch.
Westminster Abbey coronation service procedure
The coronation service is divided into five sections. These include an oath, anointing, investiture, crowning, and enthronement.
Recognition and oath
The sovereign enters the abbey in a crimson surcoat and the crimson velvet Robe of State and takes a seat on a Chair of Estate. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Chancellor, Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord High Constable, and Earl Marshal move around the coronation theater. The archbishops call for the recognition of the sovereign. Following this, the archbishop administers an oath to the sovereign. The monarch may take the Accession Declaration as well if they haven’t. The entire King James Bible, including the Apocrypha, is in this ceremony.
Anointing
A holy song begins the anointing and the Archbishop says a prayer in preparation. The choir sings the abbey’s coronation anthem, Zadok the Priest. Meanwhile, the sovereign removes their robe and heads to the Coronation Chair. Seated, a golden cover is put on their head, a sacred part of the ceremony that is not revealed to the public. The Archbishop uses consecrated oil to anoint the Sovereign by drawing a cross on the hands, head, and heart while reciting the sacred consecratory formula. The sovereign kneels for the final prayer, rises, and sits on the chair again.
Investing
The sovereign adorns the colobium sindonis, a sleeveless white robe that symbolizes leaving behind worldly vanity and standing before God. The Archbishop presents the sovereign with the Sword of State, which he places on the altar. The Monarch is robed again with the Robe Royal. The Archbishop bestows the Crown Jewels, the first being the Orb, a hollow gold sphere with precious stones, and a cross, symbolizing Jesus' rule. Once received, the Orb and the cross are returned to the altar. The sovereign is presented with a ring to represent their ‘marriage’ to the country.
Crowning
The Archbishop prays while raising and lowering St Edward's Crown from the high altar. The Dean of Westminster carries the crown to the Coronation Chair, with the archbishop and other high-ranking bishops. The crown is handed back to the archbishop, who places it on the monarch’s head. The abbey guests chant "God Save the King/Queen" 3 times. The Archbishop then recites a translation of a Latin prayer, Coronet te Deus, at the end of which, all the guests bow their heads and say “Amen”. The choir then sings an antiphon along with a benediction.
Enthronement and homage
The sovereign is brought to the throne. Once seated, "Stand firm, and hold fast from now on..." is recited, a translation of the Latin formula Sta et retine. Archbishops and bishops perform the act of homage, where they swear loyalty to their Sovereign Lord, King or Queen of the Realm, and Defender of the Faith, as well as to their heirs and successors, in accordance with the law. After this, the royal family pays homage to the sovereign individually. If there is a king/queen consort, they are anointed, invested, and crowned in a simple ceremony after the homage.
Closing procession
The bearers of the Sword of State, Sword of Temporal Justice, Sword of Spiritual Justice, and Sword of Mercy head towards St Edward’s Chapel. The sovereign enters the chapel and the choir sings a hymn of thanksgiving. St Edward's Crown and other regalia are laid on the chapel's High Altar. The sovereign removes the Robe Royal replaces the crimson surcoat with a purple surcoat and dons the Imperial Robe. They wear the Imperial State Crown, take the Scepter with the Cross and the Orb, and leave the chapel as the national anthem is sung.
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King’s coronation medal
A coronation medal is a commemorative medal that is issued to mark the coronation of a monarch, usually made from precious metals such as gold or silver. The history of coronation medals in the United Kingdom dates back to the early 16th century when Henry VIII had medals struck to commemorate his coronation in 1509. Since then, coronation medals have been issued for every British monarch, except for Edward VIII, who abdicated before his coronation.
Coronation medals typically feature the effigy, or portrait, of the monarch on the obverse side, along with the date of the coronation. The reverse side of the medal often includes a design that symbolizes the occasion, such as the crown, the coronation chair, or other royal emblems.
King Charles’ coronation medal
The obverse side: The king and queen’s effigies
The British coronation medal was designed by Martin Jennings. It features a crowned effigy of the King Charles III and Queen Camilla facing left. The Canadian medal was designed by the Fraser Herald, featuring a crowned and robed effigy of the King facing right, with an inscription.
The reverse side: Symbolic design
The British medal, designed by Phil McDermott, has laurels, the royal cypher (CIIIR), the Tudor Crown, and the date of coronation, May 6, 2023. The Canadian medal shows the royal cypher, the Canadian Royal Crown, the Canadian coronation emblem, the date of coronation, and an inscription.
Material and decoration
The medals are made of nickel silver and were issued by Worcestershire Medal Service. The medal's ribbon is 32 mm in width and includes red, white, and dark blue stripes, inspired by the 1902 King Edward VII medal ribbon.
Other coronation memorabilia
In addition to the coronation medal, there are a range of other memorabilia available to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III.
- Commemorative coins: Special coins featuring King Charles III and the coronation were issued as collectibles.
- Souvenirs: A variety of souvenirs, such as mugs, plates, trinket boxes, and scarves, are sold to mark the occasion.
- Collectibles: In addition to coins and stamps, other collectibles, such as programs, invitations, and plates, are also available.
Frequently Asked Questions about Westminster Abbey coronations
How many coronations have taken place at Westminster Abbey?
Since William the Conqueror, apart from Edward V and Edward VIII, every monarch that has been crowned has had a coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. There have been 39 coronations in Westminster Abbey since 1066.
Who was the first to be coronated at Westminster Abbey?
Harold II was the last Anglo-Saxon king to be coronated in 1066. However, he held the crown for only nine months before he was defeated by William the Conqueror, whose coronation on December 25, 1066 is the first documented coronation at Westminster Abbey. Before this, there was no fixed location for the coronation.
When was King Charles III coronated at Westminster Abbey?
On May 6, 2023, King Charles III was coronated at Westminster Abbey.
Can I attend a Westminster Abbey coronation service?
Most dignitaries worldwide are invited to British coronations apart from the Royal Family and other important British dignitaries. While it may be difficult for a civilian to enter Westminster Abbey and attend the coronation live, you may still be able to see the procession that happens afterward from outside the abbey.
What can I see related to royal coronations at Westminster Abbey?
You can view the Coronation Chair, an ancient relic used for centuries during royal coronations. Also, explore the Chapter House and the High Altar, where the crowning ceremonies take place.
Can I see the Crown Jewels at Westminster Abbey?
While the Crown Jewels are housed at the Tower of London, you can see replicas and coronation-related artifacts at Westminster Abbey, such as the coronation regalia used during royal ceremonies.
Are there guided tours available focusing on Westminster Abbey’s coronations?
Yes, guided tours are available and offer insightful details about the Abbey’s history and coronations. You can also use an audio guide if you prefer a self-paced exploration.
What other royal sites can I visit near Westminster Abbey?
After visiting the Abbey, you can easily walk to other nearby royal attractions such as Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and the Tower of London.
