In 1953, 25-year-old Elizabeth's coronation brought a touch of glamour to a country recovering from war but there is so far little of the same fervour this time round. Royal history and the pageantry that goes with it are deeply embedded in British culture, with formal celebrations such as weddings and jubilees met with huge crowds. Senior government minister Oliver Dowden has promised there will not be "lavishness or excess".īut he added: "It is a marvellous moment in our history and people would not want a dour scrimping and scraping." It cost £454,000, or £24.8 million in today's money. The most expensive was of Charles's grandfather, George VI in 1937. Unsurprisingly, there has been some push-back at the cost: one survey this week suggested 51 percent believed that taxpayers should not foot the bill.Įlizabeth's coronation in 1953 cost £912,000 - equivalent to £20.5 million ($25.5 million) now. The last coronation was for Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953 © STF / INP/AFP/File The display of gilded coaches, liveried troops and sparkling jewels comes at a tricky time in the UK, as many Britons struggle with rising prices due to high inflation. The newly crowned king and queen's processional route back to the palace - accompanied by some 4,000 British and Commonwealth troops - has been much shortened. The jewels are normally kept under lock and key at the Tower of London, while the chair has been used at every coronation ceremony since 1308.#photo2ĭespite the ancient rituals of blessing a monarch with consecrated holy oil, there will be some nods to modernity.Ĭharles and Camilla's grandchildren will take part in the ceremony, watched by more than 2,000 invited dignitaries - a quarter of those in attendance in 1953.Īmong them will be Charles's younger son, Prince Harry, despite his stinging criticisms of royal life since moving to California three years ago. 1660-1685) The eldest surviving son of Charles I, Charles had been eight years old when Civil War broke out. The ceremony itself, expected to be about an hour long, sees the Crown Jewels and the Coronation Chair take centre stage at the abbey. 1660-1685) The Royal Family Charles II (r. He ascended the French throne upon the death of his brother Francis II in 1560, and as such was the penultimate monarch of the House of Valois. ![]() He served in the Royal Navy from 1971 to 1976, and in 2012 his mother appointed him honorary. Charles IX (Charles Maximilien 27 June 1550 ) was King of France from 1560 until his death in 1574. ![]() There are commemorative coins and chinaware as well as a special recipe - Coronation Quiche - and a series of celebratory events throughout the weekend.īut with two weeks to go, there has been grumbling about the cost and signs of public apathy, as well as plans for republican protests. Charles, as colonel-in-chief, visits the Cheshire Regiment in Canterbury, England, in November 1978. The service takes place at Westminster Abbey in central London © Dan Kitwood / POOL/AFP
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