Discover Westminster Abbey coronation history | Key insights into royal ceremonies

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.