Coronation of King Charles III The Coronation ceremony has remained largely unchanged for 1,000 years and comprises five main parts – the recognition, the oath, the anointing, the investiture, and the homage 1 RECOGNITION Sovereign is presented to those gathered in Westminster Abbey by Archbishop of Canterbury Congregation shouts God Save the King! and trumpets sound CORONATION CHAIR St Edward’s Chair used for every coronation since 14th century Stone of Scone Symbol of Scottish sovereignty seized by Edward I in 1296. It was returned to Scotland in 1996 on condition it would be used in future coronations 2 OATH Only part of ceremony required by law – act passed in 1689 Monarch swears to uphold law and Church of England. Wording altered to reflect any changes in territorial composition of UK or Commonwealth 3 ANOINTING Wearing plain white linen robe, monarch sits in Coronation Chair as hands, breast and head are anointed with holy oil. Sacred moment will not be televised AMPULLA Gold flask holds holy oil consecrated in Jerusalem. Secret recipe known to include orange flowers, roses, jasmine and cinnamon CORONATION SPOON Used to dispense oil. Oldest item in regalia, dating to 12th century 4 INVESTITURE King dressed in Supertunica – gold silk robe – and presented with symbolic ornaments including Jewelled Sword of Offering (left) After receiving Stole and Imperial Mantle, king receives Sovereign’s Orb (left) – reminder that monarch’s power is from God – Sovereign’s Ring (above), Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove and Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross Investiture culminates with archbishop placing St Edward’s Crown on king’s head 5 HOMAGE King rises from Coronation Chair and sits on separate throne. Archbishop and other senior bishops kneel before him to swear allegiance, followed by peers of realm who pay respects in order of seniority, starting with Prince of Wales Stone of Scone Liber Regalis Elements of coronation ceremony set out in manuscript of 1382 St Edward’s Crown Weighing 2.2kg, made of solid gold with 444 precious and semiprecious stones Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove Represents monarch’s spiritual role Imperial Mantle Woven in coloured threads, featuring crowns, fleur-de-lis, eagles, roses, thistles and shamrock. Made for coronation of George IV in 1821 Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross Linked to good governance Cullinan I 530-carat diamond Supertunica Made for coronation of George V in 1911. Worn by George VI in 1937 and Elizabeth II in 1953 Cullinan II 317-carat diamond Stole Embroidered band of gold silk, remade for late Queen in 1953 WESTMINSTER ABBEY King Charles and Queen Camilla will be crowned in front of 2,000 guests, including members of Royal Family, foreign heads of state and other dignitaries CROWNING OF QUEEN CONSORT Simpler ceremony involves anointing queen’s head with holy oil and investing her with regalia, including crown QUEEN MARY’S CROWN Controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond replaced by other Cullinan diamonds Koh-i-Noor set in crown for coronation of Queen Mary in 1911 Once queen is crowned, she is enthroned Queen Consort’s Ring CORONATION PROCESSION King Charles III, now wearing Imperial State Robe of purple velvet and Imperial State Crown (left), and Queen Camilla leave Abbey in Gold State Coach Built in 1762, and notoriously uncomfortable King and Queen, with other members of Royal Family, make appearance on balcony of Buckingham Palace Sources: The Royal Family, Westminster Abbey, Encyclopaedia Britannica Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS