How was King Charles' Coronation Different from Queen Elizabeth's

May 06, 2023, 18:32 IST

Shomini Sen

King Charles' coronation

Apart from a downsized ceremony, King Charles' coronation was strikingly different from Queen Elizabeth's coronation. Take a look

Charles' wife Camilla, the Queen Consort, was formally crowned alongside her husband during the May 6 coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth, was never crowned.

King Charles' 'plus one'

Queen Camilla

Post-coronation, Camilla will drop the "consort" from her title and be known as Queen Camilla. However, her role does not convey any political power.

What the King wore

Unlike his mother, the king did not wear a special outfit. He wore his military uniform. Queen Elizabeth, on the other hand, had a special Coronation Dress commissioned by a British designer.

A smaller affair

Approximately 2,000 guests were invited, as opposed to the over 8,000 people who were invited to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth's ceremony lasted almost three hours, but King Charles' was for two hours.

Coronation oath

In his coronation oath, the king gave a nod to other religions, kneeling before the altar in Westminster Abbey. It was a first for any British monarch

Pledges of allegiance

Past coronations have included a long procession of British aristocrats lining up to vow loyalty and service to the new monarch. King Charles, however, scrapped that portion of the ceremony, known as the "Homage of Peers." 

Prince William's oath

 Charles' first son and heir to the throne William, Prince of Wales, kneeled before his father and gave a solemn oath, pledging his "loyalty" to him

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