London, 2 May 2023 (TDI): With few days to go until the Coronation of Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, on May 6th, new details have been released about the Coronation Robes that the royal couple will be wearing.
With the Coronation ceremony fast approaching, the details of the regal attire have been eagerly anticipated.
In accordance with tradition, The King and The Queen Consort will wear two different sets of robes during the Coronation Service:
- the Robes of State and;
- the Robes of Estate
For the information, the Robes of State will be worn by Their Majesties on arrival at Westminster Abbey, while the Robes of Estate will be worn on departure.
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The King’s Robe of State, which will be worn by His Majesty on arrival, is made of crimson velvet and was worn by King George VI at the Coronation in 1937.
The velvet has been conserved by the Royal School of Needlework, with the lining and gold lace conserved by Ede and Ravenscroft.
The Queen Consort’s Robe of Estate, which will be worn after Her Majesty is crowned, is made of rich purple velvet and was designed and hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.
The train of the robe draws on the themes of nature and the environment, featuring the national emblems of the United Kingdom (UK) and paying tribute to His Majesty The King.
For the first time, insects, including bees and a beetle, feature on the Coronation Robe, reflecting Their Majesties’ affection for the natural world.
In addition to the insects, the design of the robe also incorporates a number of plants chosen for their personal associations.
These include Lily of the Valley, which was a favorite flower of Queen Elizabeth II; Myrtle, which represents hope; and Delphinium, one of The King’s favorite flowers and the birth flower of July, the birth month of The Queen Consort.
The Robe of Estate to be worn by The Queen Consort was originally made for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and has been conserved with adjustments made by robemakers at Ede and Ravenscroft.
Thus, all four robes will be seen in full on the day of the Coronation, providing a glimpse of the rich history and tradition of the event.
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In a nutshell, the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla promises to be a momentous occasion, and the intricate and beautiful designs of their Coronation Robes are sure to add to the grandeur of the ceremony.
Muslim, Hindu leaders play prominent roles
In a historic moment, the upcoming coronation of King Charles III on May 6 will feature a diverse representation of faiths and languages.
For the first time, non-Christian regalia will be handed to the king by members of the House of Lords from minority faiths, and leaders from Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jewish communities will play prominent roles in the ceremony.
UK’s first Hindu Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, will give a reading from the Bible, and the event will be attended by Scotland’s first Muslim First Minister, Humza Yousaf.
Additionally, female bishops will be present for the first time, and hymns and prayers will be sung in Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, and English. The Archbishop of Canterbury will consecrate the king with oil, setting him apart from his subjects.
Following the coronation, people will be invited to affirm their allegiance to the king in an “homage of the people.” Camilla will also be anointed, similar to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, during her coronation in 1937.
This marks a significant shift in the representation and inclusion of non-Christian faiths and Celtic languages in the landmark ceremony.
