The big day has arrived. This May 6, 2023, is the coronation of King Charles III and the date is propitious to remember how was the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth who became the British monarch with the longest reign in history, for 70 years she was the head of the Royal House of Windsor.
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953, and this was the first televised ceremony in the world. It was watched by 27 million viewers in the United Kingdom and 11 million listeners through the BBC broadcast.
Curious facts about the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Here you can read some details of what Queen Elizabeth’s coronation ceremony was like.
What year was Queen Elizabeth coronated?
Queen Elizabeth II was the 38th sovereign crowned on June 2, 1953, at Westminster Abbey.
- Elizabeth II was the sixth queen (in her own right) to be crowned at Westminster Abbey in London, the place where every coronation has been held since 1066. Before her, Queen Mary I, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Mary II, Queen Anne, and Queen Victoria were crowned.
- On the coronation day, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip traveled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Gold State Coach. The golden carriage was pulled by a team of eight grey horses, at least three million people lined the streets of London to watch them pass.
- The dress worn by Queen Elizabeth for her coronation bore the emblems of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, the work was done by designer Normal Hartnell, who was responsible for designing the monarch’s wedding dress.
- The coronation ceremony had symbolic references to a wedding. Elizabeth II arrived at Westminster Abbey with a white bouquet in her hand, the flowers included orchids and lilies from the valley of England. She also wore a ring that is known as “England’s wedding ring”. The Queen wore it on her right ring finger during the religious service. This jewel, made with sapphire and ruby, was first worn in 1818 was worn for the first time in 1831 for the coronation of King William IV.
- Queen Elizabeth’s coronation ceremony lasted about three hours and was divided into several parts.
- Representatives from 129 countries and territories were present and a total of 8251 guests filled Westminster Abbey.
- At only 4 years old, the then Prince Charles made history by being the first child to attend his mother’s coronation. His sister, Princess Anna at only 2 years old, was considered too young to be present. However, she did attend the salute from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
- Queen Elizabeth took the throne at the age of 25, following the death of her father, King George V.
