London (Union)
The coronation of the King of Britain in a grandiose ceremony and unique in Europe, some of the rules of which go back several centuries. The coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953 required more than a year of preparation.
The coronation of the king is not done immediately following the death of his predecessor, out of respect for the period of mourning and to allow time for the organization of the ceremony. Elizabeth II, who became queen on February 6, 1952, the day her father died, was crowned 15 months later on June 2, 1953, in the presence of more than eight thousand people at Westminster Abbey.
British monarchy expert Bob Morris said the 73-year-old would likely prefer a “faster and smaller coronation”.
The ceremony is held in Westminster Abbey, and is chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the first religious figure in the Anglican Church and the second in its presidency following the British monarch. The Archbishop of Canterbury first introduces the new king to an audience that cheers him on. Therefollowing, the king takes the coronation oath, the Coronation Oath Act, which was drafted in 1688. Under this oath, he solemnly pledges to govern his people according to the laws passed by Parliament and to enforce law and justice “with compassion” and “do all that is possible” to preserve On the Anglican and Protestant Church. He then anoints the Bishops of Canterbury with holy oil and blesses the King, seated in King Edward’s throne, the throne made in the 1300s and used at every coronation since 1626. The King finally receives the royal insignia, especially the sceptre and then the crown, which the Archbishop of Canterbury wears on his head.
He is honored by members of the royal family and then a Communion ceremony is celebrated.
Unless a different decision is made, if the new king is a man, his wife is proclaimed queen and crowned in a similar but simplified ceremony. And if a queen ascends to the throne, her husband will not become a king and he will not receive the holy anointing. The United Kingdom is the only monarchy in Europe that still uses signs, especially royal costumes and attributes such as a sceptre or some swords, during coronation ceremonies. The St. Edward’s tiara, made in 1661 for the coronation of Charles II, is the tiara traditionally used during the ceremony. This crown is made of gold, silver, rubies and sapphires in particular, and weighs more than two kilograms. The imperial crown is used at the end of the ceremony and during the royal procession. It is encrusted with 2,868 diamonds and was made in 1937 for the coronation of King George VI. It is also placed by the King during the annual opening session of Parliament. In 1953, 8,251 guests representing 181 countries and territories attended the coronation of Elizabeth II. Among these, a large number of representatives of foreign kingdoms came from their countries to attend the ceremony, but none of them was a European king out of respect for royal traditions.
